In 1945, Edward is 69 years old, Kate is 66 years old and Alys is 61 years old. Eva is 36 years old and Philip is 32 years old (Alys and Dennis’ daughter and son). James is 7 years old (Eva and Teddy’s son) and Eve (Eva and Teddy’s’ daughter (my mother)) is 5 years old.
Katharine F. Boyd
Layton Manor
Richmond
Yorks
Nat. Reg. Iden. No. JHPE66/6
Tel No. East Layton 10
Bank: Lloyds 195 Edgware Road, W.2.
In the event of an accident please notify:
Philip Embleton Esq.
Ashridge Hospital
Berkhamsted
Herts
Phone: Little Gaddesdon 3191
Hayward R. Robinson, Furniture removers, Darlington (Mrs Farrow, Pub. Richmond 7).
Atomic Era – started August 6th
Monday 1st January 1945
Mildish. Fair. Dull.
Did washing, pullover (Phil’s). In garden, cut corner of ham. Fried slices of it for lunch. Mrs Peacock cleaned nursery. Posted cheque to Hedley. Made mince and cooked on griller with cabbage, boiled on griller. Fried potato cake. “Monday Night at 8” and “Pippa Passes” till 10.45.
Tuesday 2nd January 1945
Dull. Very windy in p.m.
In garden. Tidied up. Made bee candy. Shepherds pie and sprouts, gooseberries and cakes. Rested 2 till 3. To Barnes’, Dimmock, Holt, Gell, Dobinson, O’Brien, Blain’s. Cooked apples in oven over griller. Ironed. Miss Peacok and Noel in about “Jimmy” Italian tailor. Ham (cooked by Nora Blain) supper and egg (boiled). Brains Trust.
Wednesday 3rd January 1945
Rain and gale a.m. Dull p.m. Mild.
To Barnard Castle in car. Posted 12 eggs to Eva. Ham (cooked) Phil. Alys’ dressing gown and Dennis’ plus fours to Cleaners. Dennis’ pullover to be dyed green. Pie for lunch. Made sponge cake (Victory). Wrote Eva. Unpicked tweed skirt. To bed 10.30.
Thursday 4th January 1945
Very cold. Sun and snow showers.
Got Florence’s trunk and Phil’s play box down. Found key for latter. Out for cabbage. Heated shepherds pie and cooked apples. Fried colcannon. Mrs Peacock cleaned sitting room and pantry. I wrote Elsa in sun in old drawing room. Boiled egg and cold sausages. At 8 Meeting Mrs Savery, Nora and David Blackburn. Baden and his wife; Elgey’s. I consented to be Chairman “Welcome Home Fund”.
Friday 5th January 1945
Fine. Cold. Snow on ground.
To Richmond in car at 10.30. with Baden. Got car licence and wireless. Ordered tiles. Got eiderdown. From cleaners and took another one. Took trunk and play box to station. Sent to Eva. Blain off to Newcastle for clinic. I home. Soup, cold sausages, ginger cakes. Phoned Miss Peacock (asked me to tea). Washed socks. Wrote Eva with key. To Barnes’. Sir John Blunt and 2 sisters (Mrs Whitall) to tea there. Cod fish, with onion and curry sauce at 7.30.
Saturday 6th January 1945
Perfect day.
Put coke on to stones; got sewing things ready for Tailor, didn’t come. Roast loin lamb and sprouts. Apples. Worked at turning my tweed skirt in p.m. Sawed some logs. Fish, warmed-up supper. Cooked plums on griller. Wrote Kitty. Road End for sausages 6.30. Wireless battery out so no play.
Memo:
2nd Made bee candy 1st time this winter. Put in on 12th.
5th Lettercard to Alys about Binks and Aunt Bella and ham!
6th Oranges (4 Jaffas) 1.3 ½ (Miss Peacock got for me in R on my ration-book).
1st Weight 8st 8lb.
Allies regain initiative in Luxembourg–Belgium salient.
Sunday 7th January 1945
Perfect sun on snow.
Baden in and told about his Newcastle time. Some dressmaking (turning skirt). In garden with dogs. Cut ivy off path. Cooked sandwich cake (Victory) and ginger snaps (King’s), also sausages and had them for dinner and plums and cake. Posted letter to Kit and lettercard to Phil (about oil). Joe and Jimmy (Italians) called. Joe brought Eva’s shoes (13/-). Jim worked at trousers. Colcannon and bacon and egg (fried). Did skirt. End “Bleak House”.
Monday 8th January 1945
Snow showers. Cold. Fair intervals.
Did up parcels, 8 eggs (Phil), shoes (Eva’s monk). Cold sausages and cabbage. Mrs Peacock did halls, stairs and “Isa’s” room. I wrote Lucy (lettercard) and Phil Sime. To post. Soldier (Glasgow) on Scheme in. 39 men, A.T.S. in here. Worked at tweed skirt. Bacon, egg, sausage supper. Did skirt all evening.
Tuesday 9th January 1945
Snowed a lot more. Fine 3 to 4.15!!
Not out in a.m. Officer of Cadets in. Made mince (by hand) and cooked turnips and gravy. Wrote Alys at 2.30 and for permit to kill pig and sent my ration book to be cancelled (bacon) for 52 weeks. Out in deep snow to Holt, Butler, Barnes, Dobinson, O’Brien. Soup, grilled cheese and baked apples and shortbread (Holt). Mended sheet. Brains Trust.
Wednesday 10th January 1945
Fine. Dull in p.m.
Read Leeds agent’s letter to Phil and wrote Alys about it. Cold sausages, hot mashed potato. At about 2 Sicilian soldier (ex-prisoner) came and altered Dennis’ grey flannel trouser to Phil’s measurements. Went about 4.30 taking work to go on with. I did my tweed skirt. Ironed it. Soup, boiled egg, “candied” apple. Made cake and chocolate cake.
Thursday 11th January 1945
Dull. Snow still thick on ground about 32 or more degrees.
Letter from Binks about Aunt Bella. Lettercard to Alys. Did potatoes for self and dogs and cut up meat; made curry. Did up 2 flannel shirts of Dennis’ took to post but didn’t come (after waiting 45 minutes). Ms Peacock cleaned big drawing room and that part of house. Sicilian tailor (Salvatore Pirrocchia) came with trousers. Paid him 18/6. Miss Peacock came about 6.30 till 8.10. Soup, sardines, gingerbread. “The Temptation of Mr. Podbury”.
Friday 12th January 1945
Dull. Near thaw.
Tried to catch post girl with parcel of shirts (Failed, Mrs Bill B. took to Richmond) by bus. Wrote Pye Radio about broken control knob. Had curry. Jockey (Antonio) and North Italian (painter) Jacopi came and talked about shoes. I cleaned the bee-feeders and dried on stove. Made pea soup (vegetarian – Pitman Vegsal). Sardines grilled on toast, apple and cake. To Blain’s to ask for pies, as butcher not here. Hunter came.
Saturday 13th January 1945
Dull, near thaw but snow on ground.
Looked at damp billiard room, arcade and with Blain (melting snow). Peat pies lunch. Planned new coat from Eva’s big one. Salvatore came and took Dennis’ suit to unpick. I washed my hair. To Road End for sausages but none there. Did beeswax down rain water over grill. Made porridge. Fried egg and bacon, ginger snaps. Alys phoned about Agent’s letter. Music Hall (Beryl Orde very good). Planning coat on pattern.
Memo:
13th Blain’s wages
11th Lettercard to Alys about Sicilian and shirts sending.
12th Baden put candy in hives (1st)
Beryl Orde (good mimic)
8th Weight 8st 8lb.
Russian new offensive in Poland.
Sunday 14th January 1945
Finer. Just freezing snow – very crisp.
All a.m. cleaning up beeswax, pot, table mess. Wrote Doz. Pea soup. Welsh rarebit. Apples and cake. Little letter to Alys. Took to post and round with dogs. Did coat. Made ginger cakes and pastry. 2 boiled eggs, and jam tarts supper. Did coat. “Barlasch of the Guards” 8.30.
Monday 15th January 1945
Fine and frosty then dull milder. Fire at 4.
Butcher came. Out in garden. Brussels sprouts. Packed 9 eggs and 2 packets of chocolate and Dennis’ altered camel trousers. Had tinned chopped ham and sprouts. Cooked potatoes for dogs. Mrs Peacock cleaned kitchen and sitting room. Salvatore came to try on coat (from Dennis’ suit). To post (4 till 4.35) with parcel for Phil and 6 eggs for Eva. Eva phoned about Aunt Bella’s address. Potato and onion soup and Ryvita. “The Gentleman in the Parlour” Leo Genn.
Tuesday 16th January 1945
Lovely day. Clipped lonicera. No fire.
Got turnip (one huge) ready and boiled. Roast pork (from butcher Monday) and potatoes round it. Wrote Claims Officer with estimate. Wrote Alys, Eva, postcard to Aunt Bella and Roefs. After lunch, pork, treacle tart. To Barnes’, Dimmock, Holt, Dobinson, Blain’s. Wrote to Binks. Dried egg omelette with pork U.S.A. and sprouts in it. Raspberries and cream and pastries. Brains Trust good.
Wednesday 17th January 1945
Fine. Lit fire at 4 o’clock.
Wrote cheques, Spence, Stanwix. Out to Gell’s, Atkinson putting in sinks at Blain’s and Pringle’s. Cheese sauce over turnips and sprouts. Treacle tart. Wrote Poz (about false teeth). Antonio and Jacopi came with Alys’ shoes (grey). Paid 13/-. Showed Views. Grilled slice pork and sausages and swedes and potatoes. Made porridge on griller and boiled potatoes under.
Russians liberate Warsaw and Kraków 18th
Thursday 18th January 1945
Rain and wind. Sleet.
Lots of odd jobs. Gave Mrs Peacock coffee. Tidying lathe room. Unpicking coat-lining. Cold sausages and swedes (hot). Hot jam tart. Mrs Peacock cleaned floor and shelves (lathe room) and hall. I remade Kimbo’s basket and scrubbed it. Salvatore brought coat and skirt; paid him £3.10.0 for it. Gave him grey tweed coat to do. Fried bacon and potatoes and sausage on griller. Raspberries and cream. Did up 12 eggs.
Friday 19th January 1945
Snowy. Cold. Fine p.m. frost.
To Richmond in car (fresh snow over ice). Posted 12 eggs and chocolate to Phil, tin to Murray. Got insurance stamps and took taps and dies to Spence’s. Paid bill and got grate for Cliff’s, solder and hinges. Paid bill at Walton’s and said no sausages after January. To my Bank and Barclay’s. To Cleaner’s eiderdown. Back at 12.45. “Ducks” apples. Rested on sofa, slept 3 to 4. Garden with dogs. Cold pork supper, treacle tart (cooked lights which butcher brought for Zeus).
Saturday 20th January 1945
Fine, snow at times. 15°F.
Out for sprouts, lovely in garden with dogs. Set bread (yeast). Made “Victory” cake (ginger). Hot pork (re-cooked) and sprouts, baked apple. Made Mrs Cooper’s lemon syrup (lemons from Gilling). Wrote Alys (with Binks’ letter). To post. Kneaded bread 4.15. In oven. Rolls and 2 loaves. Rose too high, hit oven top! Read papers. Boiled egg and cold sausages and new rolls. “Love on the Dole”. Reading “Cathedral Close” Susan Goodyear. “The Small Back Room” Nigel Balchen.
Memo:
20th Rents
19th 8.15 Britain’s our Doorstep.
14th Wrote Doz
16th Wrote Binks. Postcards to Aunt Bella, Roefs, Eva, Alys.
19th Go 1lb lemons (not on book).
15th Weight 8st 9lb
20th Sent Binks’ letter to Alys.
21st Russians take Tilsit (now Sovetsk), Allenstein (now Olsztyn), Insterburg in East Prussia.
24th Oppeln on Oder.
Sunday 21st January 1945
Lovely day. Frost, sunshine.
Got steak and onions on for stew. Out with dogs in garden. Huge icicles waterfall. Stew and baked apples and cake. 40 minutes rest on sofa. Salvatore came to try on coat (grey tweed) and Antonio with James’ old strap shoes and my grey suede 18/-. Jacopi (Bologna) also came too. Tidied drawer in still room. Soup and cold sausage, hot rolls. Machined table napkins and mended roller too. Barlasch of the Guard. Alastair Cooke 7.30.
Monday 22nd January 1945
Lovely day. Frosty. Snow still lying.
Out in garden and to Road-End for sausages with dogs. Stew in casserole warmed up sprouts. Baked apples. Red Cross pennies off. Mrs Peacock did sitting-room, kitchen. I out to Hodge’s, Gell, Pringle for rents. Cooked apples on griller and sausages in oven. Monday Night at 8, Eric Barker good. Philco set very bad.
Tuesday 23rd January 1945
Very, very cold. Sunny 22°F frost.
In garden in lovely sun and snow and hard frost. Bill from Blain’s. 3.11 for 4 weeks. Dried egg omelette with bacon and “duck” in it. Wardle killed last pig. Rested 1 hour on sofa. To Holt, Dimmock, Barnes, Dobinson and O’Brien. Made teacakes (yeast) and had cold sausages and pancakes (with lemon!) for supper. Put arm on armchair. Brains Trust.
Wednesday 24th January 1945
Fine. Cold. 22°F.
Not to Barnard Castle as roads slippery and Baden in car to Stanwix for salt for pig and took parcels (trousers, cleaned ones) and 12 eggs to Eva in her box. Both registered. Stew and sprouts (all reheated), apples. Wrote Alys and a lettercard to Eva. To post. Sewed arms of chair. Tidied up for Committee. Fried potatoes and pork and egg. Mrs Savery, Nora, Elgey’s, Vera, Blain’s. 8 till 8.50.
Russians take Łódź and Gleiwitz, Elbląg.
Thursday 25th January 1945
Very cold still. Sun in a.m. Dull p.m. 9°F.
No post all day. In garden, got sprouts. Made sponge cake (Be-Ro). New pig’s liver and onions and potato fried. Plums and cake. Mrs Peacock did halls and stairs. I cut table napkins from old cloth. Blain’s doing sausage in old kitchen. Curry and sprouts. Stacy Aumonier story as play “The Fall”.
Friday 26th January 1945
Very fine and cold. A little snow early.
In garden with dogs. Lovely frost and snow. Laundry. Roast pork and sprouts. Butcher Hutchinsons’ last time. Paid his book. Made ginger cakes. Wrote Pickin and enclosed chattel paper £15.8 cheque for rent. Sent Lois Albert Hall tickets. Out to post and waterfall all icicles with dogs and Blain’s. Hunter came. Liver and onions and ginger cakes. Mended gloves and skirt belt.
Saturday 27th January 1945
Very fine a.m. Snow showers p.m.
In garden with dogs. Waterfall (ice) lovely. Curry and sweeds. Machined table napkins. Rested on sofa 2 – 3. Sewed chair arms. Made “puff-balls” with suet from kidney and jam. “The Corn is Green”, Emlyn Williams but battery gave out, at 9.45. Alas!
Memo:
Pickin paid to March 22nd
Pickin rent paid to 25th
22nd Rents.
27th Blain’s wages. Arnold’s 10/-.
22nd Red Cross 9.6.
Eric Barker the NAAFI girls’ hero good.
22nd Weight 8st 8lb.
31st Russians 68 miles from Berlin.
Sunday 28th January 1945
Snow in night and during day. Fine at times. Lovely in full moon.
Swept snow off steps both doors. Arnold snow plough. Roast pork and steamed-up swedes, puff-balls and jam in oven. Rested on sofa 2 – 3 but Zeus a nuisance. Salvatore came at 3.30. Paid 25/- for tweed coat. He measured dressing-gowns, I cut out skirt in “new” tweed (bought 40). Mended gloves “Barlasch” 8.30.
Monday 29th January 1945
Dull .Not so cold. Snow all night. 6”.
Wrote Alys and sent Albert Hall tickets to her and Doz. Roast pork and swedes; baked plums. Mrs Peacock cleaned kitchen and sitting-room. Out to post and walk with dogs. Thick snow. Soup and Welsh rarebit, plums an cream. Kim out till past 11, afraid of snow!
Tuesday 30th January 1945
Dull. Thawing. Mild. Thick snow. Very slushy.
Shovelled and swept snow off both steps. Thaw. Made mince of pork and sausage and liver and bacon. Ate with my rolls (made 23rd). Rested on sofa 2.10 – 3.10. To Holt, Dimmock, Barnes, Gell, Dobinson, O’Brien. Did up parcels, coffee, 6 eggs and ham (cooked by Mrs Blain) and sealed. Brains Trust (not special).
Wednesday 31st January 1945
Mild. Thaw. Rain in evening.
With Baden to Barnard Castle in car 10.50. To Peat’s to register. To Cleaner’s. Posted ham and 6 eggs to Phil, also coffee (all registered) – 2 parcels. And letter to Phil, with army cheque for damage. Blain got fitting for griller. We got grid bias at Jackson’s. Back 1.15. Brawn. Car stuck on drive, so we dug it out of snow in p.m. Grilled sausage meat. Lewis Hastings.
Thursday 1st February 1945
Dullish, mildish. Snow disappearing.
Postcard from Aunt Bella (Brussels)!!! At 10 to Darlington in car. To Badcock at 11. He put filling in lower tooth. Had hair trim at Binns 6d! Bought buttons. Home (in 25 mins) at 12.50. Cold mince and brawn. Apples. Mrs Peacock cleaned halls and big bedroom. I wrote Northerner II about Hokey Kokey and clock. Fried bacon and egg, prunes. Mended various clothes. ITMA (recording). Playlet about statues and Edward VII in Paris and Germans.
Friday 2nd February 1945
Dull, thawing. Coldish.
Made buns, rolls, teacakes of yeast and real egg. Cooked sausage meat in oven too. Out in garden. Snow nearly gone. Slush. Mince shape and apples and new rolls. Made sponge-cakes, fingers. To post with postcard for Aunt Bella and walk with dogs. Did new grey tweed skirt. Machined and ironed. Heated brawn in soup-plate. Prunes. “Every Gunner to Her Post”.
Saturday 3rd February 1945
Fine a.m. Dull and cold p.m.
Letter from Amy Steel. With dogs in garden and orchard. Warmed up mince and potatoes and sprouts. Apples and spongecakes. Rested on sofa 2.45 – 3.45. Made custard for trifle. Did skirt. Peat’s sausages, grilled, and prunes. Play about Parnell “The Lost Leader”.
Memo:
Reading The History of the Parson’s Wife – Margaret Watt
3rd ration period ends.
1st Badcock 11 a.m.
2 postcards to Aunt Bella.
31st Hunter let me have 1lb oranges.
Weight 8st 10lb.
3rd letter from Amy Steel.
“Big 3” meeting in “Black Sea Area”.
Stalin, Churchill, Roosevelt.
Sunday 4th February 1945
Perfect day. Mild. Dog lying outside. Snow in shade.
Tidying up in various rooms. Out a short time. Roast piece of meat (mutton?), potatoes round it, sprouts steamed up. Stewed apples at same time in oven. Trifle. Out all p.m. Clipped lonicera; freed snowdrops just about appearing from weeds. Sawed elder tree down in japonica by door. Difficult. Pancake with mince inside it. Apples. Began bag of black cotton, tricotty. “Barlasch of the Guard”.
Monday 5th February 1945
Lovely a.m. Variable p.m.
Did up 12 eggs in Eva’s box and 8 eggs in A.A. box. Wrote envoflap to Eva, lettercard to Alys. Peat pies and apples. Mrs Peacock cleaned sitting-room and kitchen. Out in garden a.m. and p.m. Kimmy bad paw. Got coke and weeded coke dump! Tidied still room. Scrambled eggs with onion and cheese in it. Trifle. “The Golden Ass” Apuleius.
Tuesday 6th February 1945
Dull. Rain in p.m.
Dandelion coffee. Cleaned Phil’s (Dennis’) snow-boots (muddy from pond boat-sailing!) Picked and raked coke. Cold sausage meat and my rolls. Apples in oven. Rested 2 – 3.10 on sofa. Then to Barnes’, Holt, Dobinson, O’Brien. Did some tidying stillroom, and read. Only pea soup (vegan) and Ryvita for supper. Ginger cake. Darned stockings while Brains Trust.
Wednesday 7th February 1945
Lovely day. One shower at 5.
Letter from Alys saying may come Thursday. Did more tidying and cleaning still room mantelpiece, sideboard, table. Washed clothes and hung outdoors. Sliced meat warmed in gravy and swedes. Made ginger-cakes. Raked coke and in garden. Made pastry at 6. Treacle and jam tarts, and sausage rolls. Miss Peacock and Eric in for washing. Cyril Falls commentary.
Yalta (Crimea) Meeting
Thursday 8th February 1945
Dull. Darkish. Mild. Rain in p.m. a little.
Not sure about Alys coming but Eva phoned at 1 to say not (perhaps next Thursday). Put honey crates in laundry with Blain. Minced mutton and sausage and sprouts. Treacle tart. Mrs Peacock cleaned my room. I did tidying and cleaning a bit, in kitchen. Stewed plums (Mrs Blain 43). Sausage rolls, plums and cream. Sewed bag (black tricotty). “How to …. Woo Stephen Potter”.
Friday 9th February 1945
Lovely day.
Did laundry. Raked coke. Made sponge-cakes (Be-Ro recipe and real eggs). Washed Phil’s scarf and cushion cover. Did coke again in p.m. Mended chair cover frill. Hunter not till 7. Brawn and rolls, toasted and beer! Plums, cream and sponge-cakes. Sewed black bag lining and zip and listened Julius Caesar. Godfrey Tearle as Antony. Robert Speaight as Brutus.
Saturday 10th February 1945
Fine a.m. Snow showers in p.m.
Forgot Blain’s wages. To Richmond in car, with Nora Blain. Took clock. To Barclay’s Bank. Posted 9 eggs to Phil. Back at 12.20. Shepherds pie. Did up 12 eggs and posted to Eva. Also 2 packets of chocolate for Phil. Rested. Lettercard to Alys. Sewed bag and mended gloves. Brawn, bread, plums and sponge-cake. Galsworthy’s “Strife”. To bed 11.
Memo:
5th 12 eggs to Eva, 8 to Phil.
6th Letter from Binks with enclosed one from Aunt Bella.
10th Blain’s wages.
10th 12 eggs to Eva, 9 eggs to Phil and 2 packets of chocolate.
5th Weight 8st 9lb.
Sunday 11th February 1945
Grey, snowing slightly all day.
Out and got logs (sawed off). Roast loin of mutton and leeks and potatoes. Little jam tarts. Wrote Kitty in p.m. Sawed off logs and Zeus found Teddy’s leopard and ate bits of it! Sewed new grey tweed skirt in evening. Peat pies and semolina sponge (Amb: Healthy meals for one). “Barlasch”. Wickham Steed on East Prussia.
Monday 12th February 1945
Rain. Cold and nasty. Better in evening.
Engine wrong. Saw Pegg. Got out Dennis’ leather lining. Rubbed mildew off. Wrote Doz note with Albert Hall tickets. Wrote Fuel Overseer about coke. Out in garden in rain with dogs; logs and coke-raking. Mrs Peacock cleaned sitting-room. Fried sausages and bacon lunch. Leek soup and Welsh rarebit supper. Finished tweed skirt. To bed early 9.30 as engine to be stopped at 10, by Blain. Read by 5 candles till 11.
Tuesday 13th February 1945
Perfect day.
Letter from Teddy, so got his holdall out and to Richmond to send it off at station. Got 2 oranges (Jaffas) and rhubarb and eiderdown. Cold sausage and boiled egg; apples. To Holt, Butler, Barnes, Gell, Dobinson, O’Brien (lent her milk). Made cake and pancakes and Welsh rarebit. Ironed new skirt. Mr Read phoned about engine. Baden in at 10 p.m.
Wednesday 14th February 1945
Dull. Windy.
Dusted Alys’ room. Made mince and tinned peas. Wrote Teddy with cheque. Cleaned silver. Sausages and bacon and rhubarb and cake. Wrote Ella after supper. Dr Woodsend rang up at 10!
Thursday 15th February 1945
Fine all day.
Odd jobs getting ready for Alys. Sprouts and mince and orange. Mrs Peacock did halls and helped me move mattress and feather bed to Phil’s room. At 2.45 to Richmond; posted box to Murray. Met Alys – train 45 minutes late 4.30. Talking. Coffee. Alys had only soup and toast at 7.30. I had sausages and bacon. To bed 10.15.
Friday 16th February 1945
Fair.
Alys to Barnard Castle in car for her Emergency rations. Posted tea to Eva, Mrs Gordon and Mrs Mills. Spam lunch and rhubarb. I boiled fresh haddock. Alys wrote Phil and Mrs Gordon. To post. Alys made fish-pie. I read to her letters from Kitty, Poz, Doz, Elsa, Amy Steel. News and knitting. Talk by U.S. Naval Officer about Pacific and Japan.
Saturday 17th February 1945
Fair. Mild.
Blain in – said Ken had arrived from Isle of Wight. Out to gardens with Alys; got leeks. Made fish casserole with tomato puree, stewed raspberries. Alys rang up Phil. She wrote Eva. I sawed logs. Alys fried sausages for supper and made chocolate sweet, with chocolate powder. She tried on Salvatore’s suit (from Dennis’ grey one). “Mr Pim Passes By” – A. A. Milne. Irene Vanbrugh.
Memo:
16th Dance, West Layton Estate “Welcome Home Fund”.
15th Alys comes 3.45.
12th Weigh 8st 10lb.
Sunday 18th February 1945
Fair. Mild.
Saved eggs. Blain in about potatoes and we to bacon larder with him. Par-cooked mutton joint and had Peat pies and leeks and Alys made white sauce and potatoes and Yorkshire pudding with maple syrup (Alys made Yorkshire from her milk and egg recipe). Alys wrote letters. I read papers. No Italians came. Ken in for bath. Alys and I to Blain 6.25 – 7 or so. Alys fried fishcakes in deep fat. We made pancakes and had the lemon. Howard Marshall on his visit to Maas front line.
Monday 19th February 1945
Mild. Dullish.
To garden for sprouts. Chopped logs. Roast loin mutton. Alys posted 12 eggs to Phil and things to Huntly. I to Hodgson’s, Gell and Pringle for rents. Mrs Peacock did sitting-room. Jacopi (Painter from Bologna) came and brought scissors and shoe-trees. Gave him letter for Salvatore Pirrocchio. Alys made soup. Sardines. Mrs Savery, Blains, Nora Blackburn and husband, Vera, Miss Peacock to Meeting 8. Welcome Home?
Tuesday 20th February 1945
Perfect day.
Mended clothes. Alys in garden, talked to Blains there. Mutton in casserole and potatoes and sprouts. Alys in hut. Sawed logs in a.m. and wrote Kitty. To Holt, Butler, Barnes, Dobinson. Alys made scones for tea. To Warehouse and looked at one of Dennis’ crates of papers. Soup (lentil Heinz) and sardines. Brains Trust.
Wednesday 21st February 1945
Fine. Mild.
To Dobinson’s with certificate. In garden with Alys – got sprouts. Raked coke. Wrote Red Cross for prizes and Notices. Alys made pastry. Casserole and lemon meringue pie! Baroness’ receipt. Rested on sofa. Alys posted 12 eggs to Eva and shirt to Phil. I read letters. Fried bacon and eggs. Jam tart. Colonel L. Hastings War Commentary.
Big offensive on Western Front started 23rd.
Thursday 22nd February 1945
Dull. Mild.
To fetch leeks. Sawed wood. Alys and I arranged tins in store-closet and from the larder cupboard. Meat pie (with Spam) and colcannon. Cold lemon meringue pie. Arranged Kilner bottles and jars in “Sergeant’s Mess”. Mrs Peacock did halls. We went in car to get Phil’s lettercard at East Layton – “Neg”. Did crate in warehouse till duskish. Scrambled eggs and cold bacon and coffee shape.
Friday 23rd February 1945
Dull. Fine at times. Mild.
Very late up. Phoned Badcock. Sawed logs. Ham steaks and peas. Made a Victory sponge cake. Lemon meringue. Laundry. To warehouse with Alys and we did more crates of files and Wimpole Street papers. Alys looking at Netley photo’s all evening, till 11.
Saturday 24th February 1945
Fair. Cold. Dry. Windy.
Phoned Lucas about Blackstone engine. Did leeks and Alys made meat pie from inside of Peat pies. In p.m. Alys made gingerbread, and sent off socks and notebook to Eve. I sawed wood (tree I dragged up from garden wall). Put 12 eggs in waterglass. Fried split sausages in egg. Lovely soup first. “Friends and Relations” play St John Ervine.
Memo:
19th Meeting 8 p.m. W. H. Fund.
19th Rents (Alys sent cheques to Phil).
24th Blain’s wages, Arnold’s 10/-
21st Wrote for prizes, notice.
Sunday 25th February 1945
Dullish. Windy. Mild.
Alys tried on Aunt Bella’s dress. Made stew of my beef ration. Haybox. Leeks. Alys and I looking over old dresses and jumpers. To Warehouse after tea. I to take Miss Holt’s book on Morpeth to old Mrs Blain and called on Mr Pringle about committee. Alys and I burnt papers from Lab in grate, till dusk. Made soup. Alys had poached eggs. I had Peat pies.
Monday 26th February 1945
Fine. Mild.
We worked in old larder, bottles, tins in cupboard. Alys made curry and cooked gooseberries. Mrs Peacock late. She cleaned old larder. Did up and posted frock and coat (navy) to be dyed black and coat . Skirt to be cleaned. Alys to Huntly. Alys ironed. I darned. Soup and bacon and eggs. “Mr Cinders” Bobby Howes. Naval Office talk about Tito’s Island, Vis. Morgan-Giles.
Tuesday 27th February 1945
Very fine.
Parle sans. Washed Maltanige. Began unpicking Aunt Bella’s frock. To garden for sprouts, swede, parsnips, Savoys. Alys made rissoles of 1 chop and cold bacon fried in deep fat. Mrs Peacock cleaned sitting-room. Rested 2.10 – 3.10 on bed. Dozed. To Holt, Butler, Barnes, Gell, Dobinson (bought 5 lemons 7½d and custard powder 3d) and O’Brien. Made soup, grated vegetables only. Alys made macaroni cheese. She wrote Ernest about school and Mink. Brains Trust. Good. Huxley.
Wednesday 28th February 1945
Fine and mild.
Up at 7.15. Alys and I, with Blain, in car to Darlington. Blain to Newcastle to Lucas’ with engine part (electric). We to shops and auctioneers. Alys to Badcock at 12 for new dentures. Lunch at Bainbridge Barker’s as Imperial Hotel full (all booked). 2/3 with coffee, very good. To cinema. The Climax – Boris Karloff. (Dr and voice). Met Blain 5. Had scones. Home. Soup, macaroni cheese, chocolate.
U.S. troops take Mönchengladbach 28th or 1st.
Thursday 1st March 1945
Fine. Cold wind. Hot sun.
Alys and I in car to Richmond. Alys’ rations, Phil’s trousers to cleaner. To Banks. Got lemons – 3lb. Posted 12 eggs to Eva and pants to Phil. Met Brown’s. Walton sausages for dinner, fried potatoes and sprouts. I rested in hut in sun, with dogs. Alys wrote letters. Mrs Peacock did halls and swept Alys’ room. At 5.30 we burnt papers in warehouse. Fried eggs and bacon and gooseberry fool. To bed about 10.
Friday 2nd March 1945
Fine. Cold.
Blain doing tap. Alys helping with lathe. Alys made pastry. I did apples. Did some altering of Aunt Bella’s dress. Fried leeks and “ducks” and dried eggs on it. Treacle tart. Alys wrote letters, I sewed. Both of us burnt papers at warehouse and tried to open drawers. Unpacked crate. Soup, “Ducks” fried, chocolate (made 2 sponge cakes in p.m. – Boston).
Saturday 3rd March 1945
Fine. Cold.
Machined Aunt Bella’s dress and later ironed seam. Alys made sausages into savoury; with leeks and Savoys and potato. Jam tart. Rested 1.45 – 2.45 on bed. Alys sent off honey to Eva. Sawed logs. In car; petrol at Smallways. Tea at the Brown’s. Miss ? there still. Leek soup and Peat pies, and apples. “Young Woodley”. John Van Druten.
Memo:
2nd Dance. Spot Dance. Welcome Home.
12 o’clock Wednesday – Badcock – Alys.
28th Blain to Lucas, Newcastle. 10 a.m. train.
26th Weight 8st 11½lb.
Germans fleeing to Rhine – 7th Cologne.
4th Raider machine-gunned Darlington
V-ones and piloted planes North and South England – 3rd and 4th.
Sunday 4th March 1945
Dullish and cool. Rain in p.m.
Doing Aunt Bella’s dress. Sawed logs. Wrote postcard to Aunt Bella. Alys made lovely stew with beef and carrots; and custard (with apples). Rested on bed 2 – 3. Alys sent long envelopes to Phil. To warehouse and burnt papers. Alys made omelettes with 5 eggs, jam tart. Barlasch and talk on rationing food in Germany.
Monday 5th March 1945
Dull. Cool.
To Granary (Dance Hall) to see seats. To garden. Bill Blain telling us about 1917 when he was wounded (Somme). Alys fried sausage balls in deep fat. Sprouts and mashed potatoes. Mrs Peacock did sitting room and windows. Alys hemed dress. I rested. Then made lemon syrup. To warehouse. Boiled eggs. Meeting with Blain, Nora and Dave, Vera, Dimmock and Butler, Pringle, Arnold, Savery. “Harbour called Mulberry”; listened in Blain’s room.
Tuesday 6th March 1945
Dull.
Alys and I to Richmond in car. Sweets. Cleaners for Phil’s trousers. Posted 6 eggs and 1 chocolate to Phil, tin to Murray. To 29 The Green about dog basket advertisement. Peat pies and Alys’ sausage balls and colcannon and jam tarts. Rested. At 3.10 to Blain’s. Dimmock, Butler, Holt, Barnes, Dobinson, O’Brien. She in for coffee and paint brush. Upstairs about broken chairs. Alys made gingerbread and cake and veg jelly. Hot roast beef, sprouts, chocolate mousse-shape. Brains Trust. Philip Inman. Charing Cross.
Wednesday 7th March 1945
Dullish. Cool.
Alys and I to Darlington in car. Took 4 chairs to Richardson, Temperance Place. Alys to Badcock for fitting. Bought 3lb Seville oranges 1/7½. Back 12.40. Lovely jelly with meat and vegs and hard boiled egg. Chocolate shape. Petrol (form sent off. Rest. To warehouse. Burnt papers. Clear soup. Eggs and bacon. Lewis Hastings.
U.S. 1st Army across Rhine at Remagen. General Hodges.
Thursday 8th March 1945
Fine. Mild.
Tidying up. Out for lettuces (indoor) 7½d each. Ironed Alys’ skirt and machined. Both Blains de-carbonized engine. Alys boiled bacon. Mrs Peacock cleaned alcove room (for Mink) and halls. Alys made scones. Dorothy and Marjorie Brown and Daisy came to tea. Gingerbread fruit cake and sponge-cake (made by Alys). They to see Mrs Bill Blain in garden. Scrambled eggs and soup and claret. Miss Peacock came.
Friday 9th March 1945
Finiesh, dull. Mild.
Looked for Prayer Book and Bible for James. Did laundry. Cooked apples. Alys sent tea to Mrs Milne. Warmed up meat in gravy, sprouts, mashed potato. Looked up Barnard’s things. Isogel. Alys phoned Mrs Gordon at 1.30. Wired Mink. Hunter came. Salvatore in. Cold bacon on toast; pancakes and lemon. “A.T.S. in Belgium”.
Saturday 10th March 1945
Fair. Mild.
Alys and I to Richmond. Posted 12 eggs to Eva, and prayer and hymn books to her, for James and trousers to Phil and chocolate 3. Bought my sweet ration (chocolate). Took dog basket (Ozzy’s) to 29 The Green and sold for £1 to Mrs Farrow at Pub. Sausages and colcannon lunch. Cut logs. Alys did Mink’s room. Did her coat hem. Posted book (Round the Clock) and hot bottle and truck to Alys (at Northwood) book for Eve. Welsh Rarebit and pancakes. “Bird in Hand” John Drinkwater.
Memo:
7th 11.30 Badcock
9th Dance – Welcome Home
5th Meeting 8 p.m.
8th Brown’s to tea 4.15.
10th Blain’s wages
5th Signals in.
11th Mink, Richmond 6.14.
7th Wrote Petrol paper
10th Weight 8st 8lb Saturday.
Sunday 11th March 1945
Fair. Mild.
Cleaning 2nd bathroom and Alys doing cooking (meat-balls, trifle). Sausage cottage pie. Getting Mink’s room ready. Read the condolence letters (later ones). Alys to meet Mink at Richmond 6.14 but he missed connection. Alys dined King’s Head. They got back at 9.10 (train in Richmond at 9.45?)
Monday 12th March 1945
Fine. Fair.
In garden with Mink. Got leeks. Talked to Bill and Margaret Blain. Roast loin, tinned peas, trifle. Rests. Mrs Peacock did billiard room. Tea, watercress. Alys and Mink to Blain’s with Paxton’s torch (lent last night). I got slack (coal). Looked at my snapshots. Alys’ rissoles and gravy and lettuces. Burgundy. Treacle tart and gooseberry. Mink darned his sock and sewed on button! Looked at maps, Burmah. To bed 11.10.
Tuesday 13th March 1945
Fine. Mild.
Mink washed his clothes and chopped logs. Alys boiled cockerel. I did leeks. Got parsley for sauce. Gooseberry tart. Blain took car for chicken food. Wrote Eva with three 5/- stamps for Eve. To Gell, Dimmock, Holt, Barnes, Dobinson. Soup and omelettes (parsley and onion). Mink telling about Victor Sassoon and Co. “I’ve got your number”. To bed 12.
Wednesday 14th March 1945
Perfect day.
Alys ironed Mink’s things and her coat (dyed). Alys, Mink and I in car to Barnard Castle. Took Pye to Wood’s. Posted 12 eggs to Eva. Got dyed coat. 7/6 Eva’s brown. Lunch at Morritt, Sauterne (nice little old waiter). Made cuffs to Alys’ coat. Mink moved coke and had shower bath. Chicken and rice and peas and pancakes. Mink and I to dance for 5 minutes (Red Cross). Alys made sandwiches. To bed 11.
Thursday 15th March 1945
Mildish, fair.
Up 6 a.m. (dark). Breakfast 7. Alys, Mink and I in car to Darlington. Alys and Mink off 8.50 (train in 8.25). I had hair trim 1/6 by man, Binns. Drove Margery Brown back. Chicken and rice and gooseberry tart (all Alys’ cooking). Posted hats to Eva and sable fur to Alys registered at Ravensworth (by car). Mrs Peacock cleaned alcove room and Phil’s room. Cut up 11 Seville oranges and 2 lemons. Chicken soup and toasted cheese. Ironed jumpers.
Friday 16th March 1945
Dullish. Windy.
Put oranges on to simmer at 11. Took Alys’ sheet up again. Warmed up chicken and gooseberry tart. All p.m. sat stirring marmalade and put it in jars at about 4.30. At 6.15 up to Granary with prizes and things for Auction. Soup and ham and treacle tart at 7.45. Changed. Eric Barnes fetched me at 10.20 to “Dance Hall”. Gave prizes for Red Cross Whist Drive. Auction after, till nearly 12. I auctioneer when Baden’s voice gave out.
Saturday 17th March 1945
Very fine. Mild.
Washed things. To garden for lettuces (Mrs Bill away). Covered marmalade. Made curry for lunch and gooseberry through sieve and white of egg. Rested 2.30 – 3.30 on sofa. Did up 6 eggs and took to post, and lettercard to Alys. In garden with dogs. Looked at S.E.A.C. paper (South East Asia Command) (from Mink). Soup and ham and salad; gingerbread. Lit fire. Play “General John Regan”, Birmingham. Amusing. Ravensworth Dance here. (Mother died 45 years ago – 1900)
Memo:
18th Eve’s 5th birthday
14th Dance Red Cross. Alys to Badcock 12.
16th White Drive and Auction, Red Cross.
16th Alys goes Ashridge.
16th Mink leaves
Made £28.9.0 for Red Cross.
Raiders again over North and South England 17 – 18 night.
Mandalay ours.
Sunday 18th March 1945
Fair, mild.
Eve’s 5th birthday. Reconstructing Eva’s coat (dyed dark brown) into pinafore dress, cooked roast neck mutton, leeks, potatoes. Wrote Mink (for S.E.A.C. paper) and Amy Steel for parcel of food. To post and in garden. Made lemon curd. Made Aunt Bella’s chocolate. Altered black shirt hem and Sir John Ervine on Ibsen. American commentary and Barlasch. Got bone out of Kim’s mouth.
Monday 19th March 1945
Fair. Windy. Miss Pease called.
Ironed black skirt. Out to garden. Got chives.. Cold neck mutton and sald. Apples and cream and sponge cake (just began to make it at 12. Be-Ro 12.20 – 40). Mrs Peacock cleaned sitting room. I to collect rents – Hodgson’s and Gell’s. Posted 12 eggs and prayer book to Eva. Made syrup for bees. Peat pie and chocolate. Mrs Savery, Nora and David, Nora and Baden, Vera, Miss Peacock – Meeting.
Tuesday 20th March 1945
Fine. Windy.
In garden for lettuces. Wrote Doz with Albert Hall tickets. Wrote Alys (with Doris’ and Doz’ letters). Cold neck mutton and salad, chocolate pudding. Rested on sofa 45 minutes. To Dimmock, Barnes, Dobinson, O’Brien. Made out Red Cross statement. Posted it and to Pringle’s. Mrs Whitehouse there. Omelette with ham and leek (fried). Brains Trust.
Wednesday 21st March 1945
Fair. Windy. Bee syrup and Mrs Cooper’s again.
To Barnard Castle. Pye not ready. Posted 12 eggs to Phil. Got kippers and citric acid. Back by Whorlton 12.50. Kippers for lunch and chocolate pudding. Rested. Wrote Clark about fences. Wrote Tony Freer with £3.0.0 for wedding present. Wrote laundry. Sent 11/0 to Red Cross. Mended Blain’s bee gloves. Soup and lemon curd tart. Admiral Dickson commentary.
U.S. Army takes Kaiserslautern and Mainz 21st
Montgomery’s army crosses the Rhine and paratroops – 24th
Thursday 22nd March 1945
Fair, mild.
To post at 9 with Laundry letter. Haybox dried and back. White flannels and ½ blue blazer dealt with. Minced up the ham and neck mutton. Hot with boiled lettuces. Mrs Peacock cleaned my room. Rested on the sofa. Did up big parcel of Poz and Doz’s things; and my pink striped cotton frock for Gordon Cleaning and Dyeing Co. In garden and to see Blain’s. Bill and Baden in car to fetch tomato plants from Elliot. Soup, boiled egg, plums and cream and sponge cake. Mended Blain’s bee gloves.
Friday 23rd March 1945
Misty till 9.30 then perfect day. No fire.
Laundry. Made custard. Made salad cream. Cut up and prepared orange Lunch 1.40 – cold mince shape and salad, apples and custard. In garden. Ken back, 8 days’ leave. Tried to draw fox for Inn sign. Posted pink frock to Gordon Dye works. Made bee syrup. Cut out tweed coat. Welsh rarebit and plums. Heard bombs??? 8.30 – 9 Raiders? No.
Saturday 24th March 1945
Perfect day. Warm. No fire.
Put marmalade on to simmer 9.30 till 4.30. Then stirred with sugar till 12.15. Made 7lb. Made pastry, lemon curd tartlet and meat pasty. 2 Peat pies for lunch and plums and custard. Wrote Alys. Salvatore brought Phil’s sheep-boots back. Gave him cake. Sat in garden. Wrote Pickin with rent. Shortened Dennis’ dressing gown for Phil. Bean soup (U.S.A.) mince shape and salad. Sewed dark brown pinafore dress. “Love from a Stranger”.
Memo:
19th Phil’s exam
18th Eve’s birthday.
22nd Pickin’s rent.
Dance 24th (Welcome Home).
19th Rents. Bee syrup 1st time. 21st 2nd time. 23rd 3rd time.
24th Blain’s wages. Arnold’s 10/-.
21st Sent 11/- to Red Cross.
20th Sent cheque. £28.9.0 to Red Cross.
19th Weight 8st 9½lb.
Mr Churchill crosses Rhine with Montgomery 25th. Pursuit of German’s into Germany.
26th Lloyd George died.
Sunday 25th March 1945
Dull to fair. Fine in p.m.
Ironed hem of apron frock (dark brown), “no sew” stuff. Planned and sewed. Roast neck mutton and leeks (baked apples same time). Lemon curd tart. Wrote Eva with wool. Rested on sofa, an hour. Made bee syrup (5th) at 4 o’clock. In garden; took leaves from pond. Finished hem of dressing gown. U.S.A. soup (split pea), Cornish pasty (mine), plums, apples, gingerbread. Machined apron dress.
Monday 26th March 1945
Perfect day. Cotton blouse. No fire.
Ironed apron frock. In garden. Did up aertex vests and pants and 2 chocolate (also coffee for Eva) and cycled to East Layton and registered both parcels (vests to Phil). Cold meat and salad, baked apples cream. Mrs Peacock did kitchen (I washed vases) and sitting room. Wrote lettercard to Alys at post. In hut on bed. Fried bacon and egg, jam tart. Made sponge cakes. Ken Blain (Parachute Regiment) called 6.30.
Tuesday 27th March 1945
Perfect a.m. Cloudier p.m. Mild. No fire.
Unpicked and washed moth-eaten flannels, blazer. Letter from Alys about James antrums and V2 bombs. Cheese spread (U.S.A.) and salad. Apples and cream and sponge cake. Rested 2 – 3 on sofa. To Dimmock, Holt, Barnes (got Alys’ scarf back), Gell. Home for Bird song (radio). Out to Dobinson and O’Brien and Blain’s. Made syrup (6th) for bees. Sewed up parcel for Barnard’s. Boiled eggs (2), new bread, Maggi bouillon (U.S.A.) Brains Trust. Chocolate moka with egg.
Wednesday 28th March 1945
Showery. Finer p.m.
To Barnard Castle in car at 10.15 or so. Posted two big parcels to Barnard’s. Registered one. 1/3, 1/-. Got Pye and paid 12/6. Sliced tinned meat and salad, apples. Rest. Baden put Pye in working order. Booth phoned. To garden to talk about daffodils for Church. Made mince by hand and turnip and parsnip pancakes. Sewed knickers from petticoat.
“Security Silence” how far we are into Germany.
Thursday 29th March 1945
Dullish. Fair. Windy. No fire.
Alys’ lettercard said Crook says Phil has passed. Dyed white flannel emerald green. Did some sewing on knickers from petticoat. Wrote Alys a letter. Did up 12 eggs for Eva. Mince and gooseberries. Mrs Peacock did halls and stairs. To post with eggs. To garden about flowers for Reverend Booth. Syrup for bees (7th). Soup, Welsh rarebit, apples. Sewed knickers. ITMA. Kim out all night.
Friday 30th March 1945
Showery. Fire at 6.
Machined and sewed silk knickers. In garden with dogs. Mince. Gooseberries and cream. Rested, slept on sofa. Made a lemon soufflé from Morphy’s book, sweets. In garden with dogs. Lawn had been mown. Sewed knickers, and darned stockings. Sardines (big U.S.), toast and lemon soufflé and cake. Out to fetch Kim 10.30.
Saturday 31st March 1945
Showery, slight. Very windy. No fire.
Made apple sauce. Washed things. Made up green hot bottle cover. Peat pies and boiled lettuces. Blain’s took 10 bunches daffodils to Hutton. Baden to Richmond with Savery’s to Bank with the Welcome Home Fund money. Rested. Made syrup (8th). Cycled to East Layton at 6.40 for letters. Play “Of Mice and Men” p.m. The Housemaster” Ian Hay. 9.30 out to fetch Kim again.
Memo:
31st Blain and Mrs Savery to Bank with Welcome Home money.
26th Phil’s Viva exam.
26th Lloyd George died – 82.
31st Daffodils at 1/9 a dozen. 9 ordered. 1 given free. 15/0/
26th Weight 8st 8lb.
31st End of Ration Period.
Münster taken.
Advances in North Holland. No V. bombs since 29th.
Clocks put forward for Double Summer Time.
Sunday 1st April 1945
Gale. Mild. Showery. No fires.
In bullseye room, looked over old box of books. Wrote Phil with letter from Alonzo Hunter, San Diego! Roast neck of mutton. Teeny asparagus and parnsips, turnips in meat gravy. Baden gave bees the syrup I made. Yesterday, I heated it. (he forgot yesterday). Sardines on toast and apple sponge with chocolate sauce. Made vegs and eggs in jelly. Had to fetch Kimbo from Pringle’s in rain at 10.
Monday 2nd April 1945
Fine. Very short showers. No fire.
Worked at dark brown apron dress. In garden with dogs. Cut flower bushes away on path by wall. Vegs in savoury jelly and salad, gooseberries and cream. Rested. Out with dogs. Made syrup (9th). Ironed dress. Soup and sardines. Weather forecasts begin.
Tuesday 3rd April 1945
Fine. Very slight showers. Windy. Cool. Fire.
Out in garden. Cooked Gelozone lemon sponge and custard. Had vegetable galantine and salad, gooseberries and custard. Rested. To Holt, Barnes, Dobinson, O’Brien. Made a Genoese pastry cake. Sewed apron dress. Mrs Whitehouse and Brian came with recipes. Welsh rarebit and gelozone and cream. Brains Trust – Fry and Doctor. Fierce contradictions on Paul Faraday’s question “Form”.
Wednesday 4th April 1945
Fine. No fire. Wrote Doz.
Did up 12 eggs and 2 black ties and sent to Phil. Also Isogel with black cardigan, and Normacol. To Richmond in car. Sent them off. Also chequebook, registered to Alys. Ordered drain pipes for Anderson. Cold mutton and salad, rhubarb and cream. Rest. In garden. Made syrup (10th) for bees and curry (in haybox), eggs and bacon, gelozone and custard. Strachey War Commentary.
Osnabrück and Minden taken.
German armies bottled up in Ruhr.
Thursday 5th April 1945
Blain trying to put Pye in order, loud speaker. I packed 12 eggs for Eva and 1lb tea (Mink’s) for Mrs Gordon. Curry and “purple sproutings” and rhubarb and cream and cake. Wrote to Marjorie Leggett. Mrs Peacock did halls. In garden, picked daffodils and double ring cups. Sewed old vests. Made South African melon jam. Nicer by re-cooking with lemon. Bean soup and stewed apples and gingerbread. “Mr and Mrs Brown”.
Friday 6th April 1945
Showery. Dull. Mild.
Laundry. Made custard. Made yeast buns from Leach recipe (Pringle’s). Curry and swedes. Rhubarb and custard. Rest. Slept on sofa. Out with dogs. Hunter came about 5. Made syrup (bees) 11th time. Made meringues and had them after omelette (with bacon and parsley). “Half Deck” Ralph Richardson.
Saturday 7th April 1945
Dull. Cool. No fire.
Turned black and white tweed skirt and re-arranged it. Welsh rarebit and stewed lettuce. 30 minutes rest. Then cycled to East Layton. 2.30 sale of work and Jumble opened by Miss Pease. Mr Elenor introducing. Mrs Simpson and Dorothy, Nora Ireland, Savery, O’Brien. Cycled back at 3.20. Garden with dogs. Skirt. Bean soup and Peat pie, Lemon snow (froth), rhubarb. “Don Abel Wrote a Tragedy”. Quintero.
Memo:
2.30 sale of work and jumble at East Layton
Reading Turnip-Tops – Ethel Boileau
2nd gave Arnold 2/6 for lawn cutting
2nd First weather forecasts since 1939.
Blain’s wages.
Russians besieging Vienna. Königsberg taken – 10th
Zutphen taken
Hanover taken
Essen taken
Sunday 8th April 1945
Perfect day. Night frost. No fire.
Ironed tweed skirt, did hem. In garden. Wrote lettercard to Alys. Cooked bit of mutton, swedes in gravy and purple sproutings. Brushed dogs in garden. Stewed apples. In hut and read papers there, in sun. Made steam pudding from suet butcher brought. Made bee syrup (12th time). Soup (from vegetable water) and marmalade steam pudding. Wells’ story (The Wheels of Chance) 8.30. Did skirt. Pavlova 9.30 – 10. Made blackcurrant jelly from jam.
Monday 9th April 1945
Perfect day. Night frost (no fire).
Wrote Alys, with keys of 77 King Henry’s Road. Wrote Wardle’s and Hedley’s cheque. Baden to Dr Leishman. Cold meat and salad. Blackcurrant jelly. Mrs Peacock cleaned sitting room. Rested in hut. Zeus too, panting. Did up James’ shoes and margarine (1lb) and lard and sent to Eva with lettercard. Finished tweed skirt pockets. U.S.A. noodle soup, steamed jam pudding. “Lost Horizon”.
Tuesday 10th April 1945
Fine, mild. No fire.
Postcard from Aunt Bella. Wrote one to her. Cut out sleeves of grey coat and pattern. Bouillon, hard boiled egg, Ryvita, apples and cream. Rest till 2.50. To Dimmock, Holt, barns, Gell, Dobinson. Made mince. Had Welsh rarebit and chocolate mousse. Brains Trust. Bee syrup 13th. Freed P.O.W. stories in War Report.
Wednesday 11th April 1945
Dull. Misty and slight rain. Fire.
More doing to grey coat. Cut out sleeves, machined. Warmed mince and stewed lettuce. Blackcurrant mousse and cream. Rested 1½ hr on sofa. Wrote Kitty and Claims Officer about Ravensworth Lodge. Out with dogs. Made a lemon pie (Farmhouse Fare). Bread and cheese (U.S.A. spread) and pie. War Commentary Captain Cyril Falls.
Vienna taken by Russians.
Roosevelt died 12th – cerebral haemorrhage.
Thursday 12th April 1945
Misty a.m. then very fine indeed and mild. No fire.
Ironed grey coat seams. Cooked apples. Did up 6 eggs for Phil. Lettercard to Alys and letter to Doz (about houses). Meat-pie and salad. Lemon pie. Hot. Mrs Peacock did halls. In garden with dogs and later with Mrs Peacock. Cut nettles. Syrup (14th). Soup, ryvita (eggy in soup). Blackcurrant mousse and cream. Read Punch. Posted Doz’s letter at 9.30. Made new waterglass.
Friday 13th April 1945
Perfect. Hot.
Ironed and machined coat. In garden. Did up 12 eggs for Eva. Blain to Brancas in car (Fenwick). Cauliflower with cheese sauce. Apples and lemon pie. In hut, and then on lawn on green thing. Wrote lettercard to Eva and to post with eggs. In garden again on seat. Read verdict on India. H. Nicholson. Tomato cocktail. Boiled egg. Pancakes and lemon. “Friday April 13th Play”. 9.30 Roosevelt Memorial programme.
Saturday 14th April 1945
Rain. Mild.
Did coat. Peat pie and peas. Rhubarb and cream and cake. Rested 1 ½ hours on sofa. Sewed and ironed; Wrote Alys to post in rain. Syrup for bees at 5. Lady Dill in “World Goes By”. Soup (bean) and pancakes. “Payment Differed” C.S. Forester.
Memo:
Paid 2/6 to Arnold for lawn-mowing.
14th Dance (Welcome Home Fund).
10th Syrup for bees – 13th time. 65lb sugar
12th Syrup for bees – 14th time. 70lb
14th Syrup for bees – 15th time. 70lb
8th Bentley Beetham – About Rooks (Biology master Barnard Castle). 359 nests in 1944, now 398.
Magdeburg taken.
Sunday 15th April 1945
Perfect day.
Made stew. In garden on seat. Newspapers. Ate stew and “purple sproutings”. Rhubarb and cream. Rested 1.20 minutes on sofa. In garden. Wrote Laundry. Made lemon snow. “Les Femmes Savantes”. English Molière. Scrambled egg and salad. Lemon snow. Cut some nettles.
Monday 16th April 1945
Fine. Warm.
To Richmond for grate. (Brancas, Fenwick) and cord and to Barclays Bank. To the Brown’s to return books. Stew and greens, rhubarb and buns. Mrs Peacock did sitting-room. To Hodgson’s and Gell’s for rents. In garden. Made finger biscuits. Peat pie. Apple. At 8 Blains (3), Pringle, Nora, Vera, Mrs Savery, Miss Peacock. Meeting. “She Stoops to Conquer”, Goldsmith. Angela Baddeley.
Tuesday 17th April 1945
Fine. Lovely.
Made lemon curd (Nora’s recipe). In garden. Stew and peas. Rhubarb. Wrote Alys (lettercard). Did up coffee for Eva and coffee, chocolate, “The Ship” and shampoo and posted to Alys, after Group Savings to Holt, Dimmock, Dobinson, Barnes. To Elgey’s too. Made pastry, lemon curd tarts and treacle tart. Boiled egg and tarts. Brains Trust. K.H. Gould spoke of Faraday and steel.
Wednesday 18th April 1945
Perfect day.
In garden. Made buttonholes in grey coat. Blain and Atkinson in car to Brancas all day. Stew and peas, broccoli leaves. Rhubarb (cream sour!). Rested in hut. More sewing. Letter to Eva (her coats). Cheese sauce with cauliflower heads. Treacle tart. To bed 9.35.
Leipzig taken by Americans. Many suicides of Nazis. Nürnberg taken. Nazis flooding Holland.
Thursday 19th April 1945
Perfect but breeze. Hot.
Did some washing. Made curry of stew. Made gooseberry tart (Camden). Tuesday’s pastry. In garden. Hot. Rested in hut. Mrs Peacock cleaned housekeeper’s room as jackdaw had messed it, and soot down. Made spongecakes (Wardle). Made custard. Had asparagus and bread and cheese (first). Rhubarb custard and sponge-cake. “How to Blow Your Own Trumpet” Stephen Potter and Joyce Grenfell. Good. Captain from Buchenwald Concentration Camp. Enthronement Archbishop of Canterbury.
Friday 20th April 1945
Fine. Warm but duller.
Did laundry. Mrs Pringle in. Eric in. Ironed coat and altered sleeve. Asparagus soup and bread and cheese spread (U.S.A.) Apples and custard and cake (gooseberry tart at lunch with soup; cheese supper). Did up wax and sent it to Sainsbury’s, Trowbridge, Wilts for brood foundation. Sewed buttons on. “Hemlock for Eight” at 8 play. Leon Lion. (Hunter came).
Saturday 21st April 1945
Cooler; some sun.
In garden. Wrote Alys lettercard. Did up 12 eggs for Eva. Peat pie and gooseberry pie (and salad). . Mrs William’s husband back. Row. Cycled to East Layton. Sale at Post Office. Hannah Blenhorn’s Bought 3 chairs (from Lady Kirkwood’s), armchair (and fender). 6/-, chair 4/-, chair 1/-! With Blain in car to get them at 5.30. Hardboiled eggs and toast. Apple snow. Miss Peacock in 9. “Nothing but the Truth” 9.30.
Memo:
21st Sent 11/6 to Red Cross
16th Meeting
8 Rents
21st Blain’s wages. Arnold’s 10/-.
Teddy 9 days embarkation leave from 17th
16th Weight 8st 9lb.
Bologna taken? Frankfurt on Oder falls.
Berlin encircled by Russians (except 5 miles from coast).
Po crossed, Ferrara, 25th.
24th Blackout ended.
Sunday 22nd April 1945
Cooler, dull.
Did potatoes for dogs and me. Made yeast buns. Wrote Hitchens with cheque and coupons. Fried chops. Purple sproutings. Treacle tart. Short rest. Cleaned new chair. Cut out lining of coat. “This is the Law” – licensing laws 6.30. Soup, buns, gooseberries and cream. “The Wheels of Chance” 8.30. Made coat pockets.
Monday 23rd April 1945
Very fine. Cool.
Tried on dyed cotton dress and pinned. Cooked rhubarb. In garden. Peat pie, salad, rhubarb and cream. Mrs Peacock did sitting-room. Did up 12 eggs and sent to Phil. In hut, read paper. Sewed pockets on coat. Fried tinned chopped ham and egg, jam tarts. Did up oatmeal tin. Sewed. ”England is my Village”. Sent oatmeal tin back with cheque.
Tuesday 24th April 1945
Very fine. Warmer.
With Baden in car to Richmond (to Savery’s on way and back). Got Walpam for Dance Hall and cartridges, and sweets, bread, pens, torch battery. Chop and stewed lettuce. Rhubarb and cream. Lay on lawn till 3. To Holt, Dimmock, Barnes, Gell, Dobinson (O’Brien out, went twice). Machined lining. In garden and houses. Cut grass (washing line and rock garden). Chopped ham and asparagus. Gingerbread. Brains Trust. Lord Vansittar. Bridget Anderson.
Wednesday 25th April 1945
Dull. Coolish. Mild.
Washed blouse and apron. To O’Brien. Weeded among gentians. Wrote Alys. Cooked leeks, warmed chop. Baden took car to Watson for brake lining. Rested on sofa. Sewed lining in coat and listened to 2 good playlets. “Black and Scarlet” Susan Ertz and “Into the Ring” (Boxing). Made lemon and Seville orange jelly. Leek and asparagus soup and chocolate mousse. “The Tale of Tzar Saltan” Rimsky-Kor Sakov. Opera.
San Francisco Convention begins “How to prevent war in future”.
Verona taken. Milan, Genoa, Turin, taken by Partisans, Mussolini taken!
Bremen, Stettin (Szczecin), Brno falls.
U.S. and Russians meet at Torgau.
Thursday 26th April 1945
Dull and cool. Fire from 12.
Wrote Badcock with cheque £5.15.6. Did Income Tax claim and posted it. Mince and asparagus. Apples. Re-did lemon jelly with white of egg. Mrs Peacock did Alys’ room and stairs. I began painting fox on the Fox Hall Inn sign. Sandpapers old one off. Soup (with yolk egg), chopped ham and salad, tiny rolls. Jelly (but too acid – bitter). “Putois” play. Anatole France. Made pocket.
Friday 27th April 1945
Dull and cool. Very little sun in p.m. Fire at 4.30.
Did a good deal of painting on fox in nursery. Baden went for car to Watson. Fried U.S. ham and egg, apples and gingerbread. Rested on sofa 1 hour. Then painted again. Sewed pads in new cardigan shoulders and pocket on tweed skirt. In garden with dogs. Soup and “Scona” scones (I made) and cold chopped ham and salad. Statements by Churchill, Truman and Stalin on Link-up. Sans Francisco. Records of speeches.
Saturday 28th April 1945
Sunny and clouds. Very cold wind. 6 degrees frost. Fire in p.m.
Made mayonnaise. Shortened old tweed skirt. In garden. Fried sausages. Stewed lettuce. Rhubarb and cream. Rested on sofa. 3.30. “The Warden”. Hemmed skirt. Machined cardigan. Made sponge cakes (Wardle). Garden. Soup and Peat pie. Henry A. Jones “Mrs Dane’s Defence”.
Memo:
Food ration period ends 28th.
Dance 27th
22nd Paid Arnold 2/6 lawn mowing and 6d tins.
26th Teddy might go abroad.
26th Sent Income Tax claim.
23rd Weight 8st 7½lb.
Himmler offers unconditional surrender to British and U.S. only. Rejected. Count Bernadotte intermediary.
Mussolini shot in Milan. Munich taken.
Sunday 29th April 1945
Some sun, but very cold. Snow showers.
In garden, very cold. Tried to mend hot bottle. Did potatoes, self and dogs. Cooked loin mutton, purple sproutings. Rest on sofa. “Trial of Lady Lisle” by Judge Jeffries. Sewed pink clover cotton frock. Out with dogs. Got watercress. Cut nettles. “This is the law”. Bankruptcy 6.30. Soup and Peat pie, salad and rhubarb, sponge-cake. “Wheels of Chance” ended. Food dropped in Holland by R.A.F.
Monday 30th April 1945
Very cold, but hot sun sometimes. Snow showers, p.m fire.
Made Scona scones and ruff-puff pastry. In garden. Soup and scones; stewed apples. Did up 9 eggs for Phil and 12 eggs for Eva. Lettercard to Alys. In hut and garden. Hoe-ing. Mrs Peacock cleaned sitting-room. Made stew and chocolate mousse for supper. Mended pink cotton frock.
Tuesday 1st May 1945
Very cold. Some snow. Some sun. Fire.
Made rhubarb pie and jam tarts from yesterday’s pastry. Cooked them. Cold chop and salad. Rest. To Holt, Dimmock, Barnes’, Dobinson. Lettercard to Kitty. Sardines. Rhubarb sponge mousse. Brains Trust. Professor Gilbert Murray, Dr. C. E. M. Joad, Sir William Hamilton Fyfe. Cut bacon and put to soak.
Wednesday 2nd May 1945
Cold but fine.
Heard Hitler died on 8 a.m. News. Got up at 7.20 by mistake, instead 8.20. Boiled the round of bacon. Cleaned silver drawers and contents. Stewed lettuce and scrambled eggs. Changed mattress to Phil’s room. Dusted all rooms. Listened to 2 very good playlets. “Three men in a Pub” and “No time for Death” from Mrs Belloc Lowndes from the short story “The Answer”. Soup and bacon. To Darlington meet Alys at 8.50 train. Train in 9.10. She had soup and bacon and to bed.
Surrender of all German and Fascist armies in North Italy.
About 1,000,000 prisoners.
Hamburg surrenders.
Rangoon taken. British and Russians link-up.
4th Unconditional surrender of 1,000,000 Germans to Montgomery.
Thursday 3rd May 1945
Cold but fine and sunny.
Took Alys up breakfast in bed at 10. Lighted fire. Talked. Wireless wouldn’t go on at 1. Hash and purple sproutings and fried potatoes. Rhubarb pie. Mrs Peacock did halls. We had rests. Alys on bed. I on sofa. Baden in about wireless. Coffee and scones and cake. 5.20 Alys to Jackson’s at 6 to get dry battery. Bought a Utility Radio Set £12.3.4!!! To dance hall (being “decorated”). Sardines and eggs and soup. Play “Mrs Fry has a Visitor” Nightingale.
Friday 4th May 1945
Fine. Cool.
Did some painting of fox and finished it. Very exciting news of 1,000,000 Germans unconditionally surrendering to Montgomery. Record of the Surrender on Lüneburg Heath. Listened to midnight News.
Saturday 5th May 1945
Dull. Cool.
Alys listened to 8 a.m. News. Blain altering radio aerial. Alys made toad in hole for lunch. Listened to 3 p.m. European News. Read letters aloud to each other. To Post Office in car with Alys to get letters. Made stew (Alys) and had cold bacon and salad and chocolate mousse. Last of War Report. “Abraham Lincoln”.
Memo:
29th Arnold Blain 18 this week – may be called up.
5th Blain’s wages, Arnold’s 10/-.
4th Holland and Denmark freed – unconditional surrender of all German armies in North Germany to Montgomery and 21st Army group.
30th Weight 9st.
7th Unconditional Surrender of all German armies.
Holland free, Denmark free, Norway free.
8th V.E. day (Victory Europe).
9th V.E. day plus 1 day.
Sunday 6th May 1945
Fine and warmer.
Read papers. Exciting and interesting! Alys in garden and talk to Bill Blain. Stew, rhubarb, custard. Alys wrote letters. I read and in garden. Alys doing her warrants. Measured carpets. “Dr Thorne” began on wireless.
Monday 7th May 1945
Warmer. Dull.
Baden and Atkinson in and took up carpet. Mrs Peacock spring cleaned sitting room and we put down red and green carpet, and matting from billiard-room. Sent off 12 eggs to Eva. Mrs Peacock stayed till 6.20. Soup, bacon, egg, salad, chocolate mousse. At 9 it was announced V.E. day tomorrow and Churchill to speak at 3. Got flags from attic. Listened to German prisoners talking to their families.
Tuesday 8th May 1945
Drizzle, warm. Rain in p.m.
We and Baden and Arnold put up flags. Listening to wireless at intervals all day. 3 p.m. Churchill broadcast a statement about War in Europe being over. Alys and I walked to road-end. The King spoke at 9. To bed 11.
“Cease-Fire” at 12 – 1 on all fronts in Europe.
Wednesday 9th May 1945
Fair, very warm. Lovely evening.
Phil phoned coming today, moved my bed. Getting his room and bed ready. Alys lit his fire. Walked to Wardle’s about milk. Slept in p.m. Alys made anchovy eggs and boiled corner of ham. Sardines and toast. On car at 9.15 leaving on lights on! On purpose. Darlington. Met Phil 10. He had chicken soup (Heinz), anchovy egg, asparagus.
10th Surrender of Channel Islands and of Dunkirk and Crete.
10th Basic petrol in 30 days.
Thursday 10th May 1945
Phil stayed in bed all day. Tired (had refill 9th). Ham and salad, gooseberries and custard. Made peppermints (with dried milk). Sent coffee (2lb) to Eva. All had coffee and toast in Phil’s bedroom. I to Jackson’s to get battery for Pye. Asparagus, soup and sardines. “Victory Report” about Channel Islands, Kiel. Navy Copenhagen. 1st U-boat into Wemouth. Dunkirk.
Friday 11th May 1945
Dullish. Fair and mild.
Phil went into front (A.T.S.) room for the day. Alys boiled cockerel and made parsley sauce. 2 small cabbages. Chocolate (Bruxelles). Alys and I to Barnard Castle in car for Phil’s rations. Took Pye to Wood. Got oranges on 3 books at Robinson’s. Coffee with Phil. Baden put Philco up. Varnished fox with white varnish. Got it off again with amyl acetate. Ham and gooseberry. News and Royal Navy in Phil’s room.
Saturday 12th May 1945
Fine and warm.
Phil in front room. Blain talked to him there. I made Mrs Cooper’s lemon syrup. Cold chicken and ham and salad, chocolate. Alys and I rested in p.m. and slept, on beds. Tea in Phil’s (big) room. In garden. Victory music hall. Suzette Tarri. Asparagus in Phil’s room. “The Portsmouth Road”.
Memo:
8th Eisenhower, Alexander, Montgomery, Tedder all spoke in evening programme.
Mr Churchill will broadcast 13th at 9.
9th 1st gooseberries
Weight (7th) 8st 9 ½ lb
Trouble over Trieste. Tito Jugo-Slavs versus Italians.
New Zealand troops occupy it.
Sunday 13th May 1945
Much colder. Showers and sunshine – strong south west wind.
Phil into big room for day. Made junket. Alys cooked sirloin beef, Yorkshire pudding, tinned peas. Alys and I both rested on beds in p.m. Read King-Hall on Russian visit. I made salad dressing. Chicken soup, ham. Mr Churchill broadcast 9 p.m. till 9.36.
Monday 14th May 1945
Fine (showers). Very, very windy still.
Phil in big room. Wrote Eva with £2.0.0 cheque for 2 coats. Chicken and rice, coffee trifle. Forgot rents and rested. Did up tea and posted to Doz. Mrs Peacock did sitting-room and kitchen (very badly). Up with Phil for tea and talks. In garden. Found 4 baby rooks, blown from nests. Coffee, mousse jelly. Peat pie, ham. Phil had spaghetti. Army’s Finest Hour.
Tuesday 15th May 1945
Fine.
Phil in big room. Got lettuces. Cold beef and salad (and tinned tomato), coffee shape – 30 minutes rest. To Hodgson and Pringle for rents and Holt, Dimmock, Gell and Dobinson (Barnes and O’Brien out). Tea in Phil’s room. Cut nettles and thistles. Ham toasts. “R.A.F. Finest Hour”. Downstairs for half of it. Bath chaps.
Wednesday 16th May 1945
Dull, mild, windy.
Phil in big room. I to Richard in car alone. Posted oatmeal tin. Got grate and tap at Spence’s and bread. Alys made cottage pie. Prunes. Rest till 3.15. Then did gooseberries for Camden and listened “A Room in the Tower” Jane Grey and “Dr Melhorn and the Pearly Gates” till 4.15. Tea in Phil’s room and talked about exams. Welsh rarebit. “Their Finest Hour – The Merchant Navy”.
Mr Eden back from San Francisco.
Thursday 17th May 1945
Dull till 3.30 or so. Lovely after; sun.
Phil in big room, but went up to top room and came downstairs and 12.45 and had lunch with us in sitting room (in dressing-gown). Mrs Peacock and Baden took blackouts down in Phil’s room. Cottage pie and asparagus, and stewed apples and custard. Rested in p.m. Read Digest. Tea in big room with Phil. Made chocolate-café mousse and my U.S. dehydrated tomato cocktails. Bath chaps and poached eggs on spinach. “Disguised Ship” and ITMA. “People of Britain” Finest Hour.
Friday 18th May 1945
Dullish then fine. Cool.
Did laundry but they didn’t call. Phil in big room (headache) but down to lunch and supper in dressing-gown. (Gained a lb since coming). Alys cooked cockerel (boiled, then roast) with bread sauce. Tinned peas. Apples and custard. Rest till 3.15. Made chocolate biscuits. Hunter came in middle. Tea upstairs. Alys made tomato soup and omelette with chicken liver in it.
Saturday 19th May 1945
Fine day.
Alys and I to Barnard Castle in car for Phil’s rations and Pye, bread. Phil in bed, but down for dinner, cold fowl, salad, chocolate, Queen of Puddings. Wrote Mr Clark; sent Albert Hall tickets to Doz. Rested in hut. Tea in Phil’s room. Sent 6 eggs to Eva. Made clear soup of asparagus water and 3 bouillon cubes and pasta letters in it. Alys made salmon fish shape. Philco wouldn’t work. Did crossword in Phil’s bedroom. Alys ironed nightgown there. Eva phoned = James to be operated for appendix.
Memo:
17th Blain bought 12 week old chicks for 22/-.
17th Pickin rent paid.
14th Rents
16th de Valera to broadcast 10.10.
Blain wages.
Correspondence re Election between Messrs Churchill and Atlee – decision on July 5th for election date.
Churchill resigns and then forms new “caretaker” cabinet.
Sunday 20th May 1945
Dull. Rain in p.m.
Wardle butter, scones and sponge-cake. Phil didn’t dress, but down to talk to phone to Eva about James’ appendix and to dinner and supper. Alys cooked joint (sirloin). I did stewed lettuce (casserole) and prune whip. Phil headache and depressed. I slept on bed all p.m. Tea in Phil’s room. Then he worked (Medicine book). Scrambled eggs (and Peat pie and tomatoes). In Phil’s bedroom in evening; Wing Commander Strachey on trip over Germany and devastation.
Monday 21st May 1945
Fine. Warmer.
Phil got up and dressed and out in gardens. Rested then in p.m. reading his “Medicine” book. Chicken hash and cauliflower and Brussels chocolate. Wrote Pickin with rent cheque. Rested, slept. Tea in garden (all of us did some of inventory for Ernest). Welsh rarebit and asparagus. Phil to bed at 8.15. News in his room.
Tuesday 22nd May 1945
Dull. Cool.
Blain working on Philco. Laundry came. We did inventory checking, and Phil wrote Ernest. Chicken and rice. Brussels chocolate. 12 eggs to Eva. Alys and I in car to Ravensworth to register letter and buy £4.5.0 savings stamps. Then to Holt and took Phil’s coat and lining. Dimmock, Barnes, Dobinson. Tea in kitchen. All 3 to “Dance Hall” to see distemper. Phil ran an engine in top-room. Omelette and Peat pie. Brains Trust. Alys phoned Mr Simpson.
Wednesday 23rd May 1945
Dull then fine after 5. Cool.
Phil had letter from Ernest re probate. All discussed it in Phil’s bedroom. All to Morritt Arms to lunch and Phil phoned Ernest from there. Home 2. Alys and I to see decorations, flags in Granary. Phil in his hut, reading Medicine. I wrote Bank about Algoma certificates. Tea in kitchen. Alys and I tidying wine bottles. Phil felt sick, but ate 1 meatball (Alys fried, deep fat). News in his room.
German High Command arrested. Dönitz also. Montgomery head of occupied Germany (British Zone).
Himmler taken and suicide.
Thursday 24th May 1945
Dull a.m. Fine p.m.
With Blain to warehouse, moving and opening crates (Wimpole Street). 2 bottles gooseberries in Camden. Alys and I did some moving of things for Probate men. Cold beef and rissoles, gooseberry fool. Mrs Peacock cleaned various rooms, and wine holder. We rested. Tea in garden. Alys phoning Appleby. Moved things from still-room. Made asparagus and bouillon soup. Boiled egg. Alys and Phil ham. At 8 Meeting in Housekeeping Room. Welcome Home Fund now £5.2.5.
Friday 25th May 1945
Dullish till about 4. Fine evening. Cool.
Busy with moving things about and from stillroom. Phil at his lathe (up at 11 o so). Lovely meat stew and mashed. Alys to Richmond in car at 2.30. Posted 6 eggs to Eva. I painted fox and rested. Tea in kitchen. Phil read in big bedroom and then at lathe. Alys and I tidied stillroom. Soup and ham and salad. Alys and Phil in garden till 9.20.
Saturday 26th May 1945
Dullish. Very heavy. Thundery, rain p.m. Cool.
Bill Blain’s had sister-in-law to stay. All day moving things and tidying. Bill Blain moved table and picture and shelves at lunchtime. Phil looking at snapshots in nursery in p.m. We moved china and Phil looked up marks in China book. Posted Transfer papers to Ernest and Alys’ letter to Eva. Called on Hodgson’s (Miss Mansfield there). Ham and asparagus. Phil’s wireless wouldn’t work. I listened News and “Pride and Prejudice” downstairs. Took down war maps off screen.
Memo:
Stanwick Arms. Mrs Holywell, Aldborough St John.
23rd James’ appendix out. Miss Hodgson’s leg off.
23rd Dance R.E.M.E. (Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers) Band 9 till 1.
24th Meeting 8.
22nd Wrote Doz about Sands Meadow.
25th Mink Goldrich married.
Joyce (Lord Haw Haw) taken and wounded.
Trouble in Syria and Lebanon.
French shell and bomb Damascus.
Sunday 27th May 1945
Coldish showers and some sun (little).
Mrs Bill Blain and sister-in-law and Bill helped move china from secret cupboard and put in china cupboard on stairs. Alys cooked pork joint, spinach (tin), chocolate custard. Rest. Phil at lathe and all of us in “atrocity” room. Tea by fire in sitting room. Macaroni cheese (Alys), figs. “Dr Thorne” 8.30. News. “This was an American” Joe, Iowa. Looked at my snapshots in Phil’s room.
Monday 28th May 1945
Cold. Showers. Sun early.
Alys and Phil got silver down from attic. Ham boiled in kitchen. Began painting frame of fox. Cold pork, rice pudding and raspberries (bottled). Mr Clark and Mr Liddell here for rents. I rested on bed. Alys made scones. Mrs Peacock cleaned still room. Clark and Mr Liddell back to tea here and in garden with Phil. Moved china. Minced ham and scrambled eggs. Arnold mowed lawn.
Tuesday 29th May 1945
Cold. Fine p.m. Thunder and rain a.m. Lawn mown.
Alys to Barnard Castle in car for ration emergencies. I talked to Phil (in bed) about legal Layton business. Fish (baked). Rice pudding, raspberries. Rest 45 minutes. To Holt, Barnes, Gell, Dobinson, O’Brien. Fire in sitting room. Tea there Took honey to Hodgson’s. To Holt and gave 7/6 for coat being lined (Phil’s). Finished fox frame. Heinz tomato soup and ham. Brains Trust. Inman. News upstairs.
Wednesday 30th May 1945
Fine. Cool. Cloudy intervals.
Phil down to breakfast and in car to fetch Appleby from Stanwick Arms. Valuer Mr ? and assistant, at 10.45 by bus from Darlington. They all had tea. Phil showed Appleby around. Valuer started on silver in nursery. Blain took them all to Aldborough 12.15. We had beef and raspberries (junket failed). Rested. Weeded path. To warehouse. Phil in hut after tea. Baden drove men to Aldborough 8.30. Chicken soup, eggs and bacon. Pacific Commentary by Rear Admiral Dixon.
1st Basic Petrol ration started. 4 gallons a month.
Thursday 31st May 1945
Varnished fox. (Valuers lunched at Ravensworth). Blain fetched Mr Bell and Jack (valuers) from Aldborough at 9. Alys with them all a.m. in various rooms, halls. Phil down to breakfast and opened crates in warehouse. Coke (1 ton?) Tinned beef stew and tinned peas, stewed apples and junket. In p.m., I with valuer in drawing room, gun-room, breakfast room. Tea. Alys with valuers again. I made ginger cakes and chocolate mousse. Alys made ham omelettes. Then ham sandwiches for Phil. Blain took men back at 7.30.
Friday 1st June 1945
Fair, cool. Some sun and showers.
Got up at 6.30. Breakfast 7.15. Alys and Phil in car to Darlington. Phil away 8.50 to Kings Cross. Laundry. Alys called for Bell and Jack on way back, and was with them, checking up inventory all day, nearly. I wrote Aunt Bella, Bank (Algoma), Roefs card. Pork stew, raspberries. Men to Ravensworth. Blain’s mattress and chairs brought down. Made scones for tea. Guy Hunter came. In car (in p.m.) to try and see Bainbridge in Richmond. To warehouse with Alys and about house. Boiled eggs and ham.
Saturday 2nd June 1945
Fine, but showers. Very fine after.
Alys and I went over all the blankets, tablecloths. I did more at the books (segregating). Peat pies, ginger bits at 2. Both in car to Richmond. I to Bainbridge to ask about gun for probate (taken by Hardy). Bought books for James. Posted 6 eggs to Eva. Home 4. Rested till 5. Scones for tea. Did linen, bedcovers. Scrambled eggs and ham, apple snow. “The Silver King” Henry Arthur Jones (like an Edgar Wallace) melodrama. Laidman Browne as Denver.
Memo:
28th Mr Clark in p.m.
30th Mr Appleby (and Garland – Probate Valuers) Mr Bell.
2nd Blain’s wages, Arnold 11/-
1st Phil away.
Heirlooms 9% Estate Duty, other goods and chattels 1% Estate Duty
28th Weight 8st 4lb.
4th Churchill’s Election speech.
5th Attlee’s Election speech bad.
6th Samuel’s – good.
Sunday 3rd June 1945
Dull. Showery.
Alys and I doing sorting for valuers. I books. Alys glass, china. I wrote to Phil and James. Did up 3 books for James. Alys did up presents for James and wrote Eva and Mink . I wrote Mink (congrats and about “This war against Japan”). Alys made beef stew. Rested on bed, slept. More books sorted. Omelette and ham (soup). Chocolate mousse. “Dr Thorne” at 8.30. Sewed Alys’ belt on Phil’s coat. In cellar in a.m.
Monday 4th June 1945
Fine.
Mr Bell and Jack at 10.30 or so. In servants’ bedrooms, “Atrocity room” and then kitchens and larders. (I wrote Poz lettercard). Baden took them to Ravensworth for dinner and posted parcels to James and oat-tin to Murray and got my new Ration-book. Valuers in billiard room and books, and then began china, after 6. Mrs Peacock spring-cleaned bathroom till 6.30 (1/3 extra). Ham omelette, trifle. Binks called. Churchill’s election speech. At 9.15. Savery’s fetched my fox. To bed 11.
Tuesday 5th June 1945
Very dull and dark. Showers. Phil phoned.
Blain fetched Bell and Jack at 9. (our breakfast at 8.10). Alys all a.m. and p.m. doing china list with Bill. I dusted and got potatoes. In p.m. rested 40 minutes. To Dimmock, Barnes (bought fruitcake, 3/-, she gave sponge-cake). To Dobinson. To Mrs Blain. Tea. Then I did ornaments, ivories, china with Bell till 7.5. Bacon and eggs and sausages, chocolate mousse. Brains Trust. Meredith, question-master. Attlee’s election speech.
Wednesday 6th June 1945
Fine and warm.
Breakfast 8.10. Blain fetched valuers from Aldborough. They did “unsettled” list (things bought in by Dennis, not heirlooms). Pictures, glass, linen and outdoor, yard, joiners shop, garden (finished china first). Cottage pie and gooseberries and custard. Alys and I round with Bell but chiefly Alys. I finished leather on Phil’s coat and listened to 2 plays. Phil phoned at 5.30. Good report from Smart. Kitchens, cellar with Bell. They left at 7!! Cold ham and salad. Both very tired. Samuel speech (Liberals).
7th Anderson’s speech – very good.
8th Tom Johnston – Healthy Schemes.
9th Ernest Brown – Liberal Nationals.
Thursday 7th June 1945
Very fine with thunder showers.
My fox sign put up on Fox Hall Inn. Alys and I both very tired; to Barnard Castle in car for Alys’ rations. Posted Phil’s coat and Dornford Yates. Got fish. Got engine oil (5 gallons) and car oil at Jackson’s. Alys fried fish for lunch. Gooseberries and custard. Mrs Peacock cleaned shelves and housekeeper’s room and sitting-room (a bit). I slept on bed. Alys wrote Phil. She phoned Eva, after tea. James to go seaside if possible. Ham and choc-moka mousse. ITMA. Alys cooked rest of ham. Sir John Anderson’s speech (“non-party”).
Friday 8th June 1945
Fine. Warm.
Both tired still. Various odd clearing-ups. Mince, gooseberries. Then in car to Arlington. Alys’ new dentures and I was fitted for spare plate, by Badcock. To station. Sent off wireless set to Teddy. Got slates – 100. Sent 12 eggs to Eva; 12 to Phil. Alys had coffee in café. I had cup of chocolate at Food Demonstrating depot. Home (petrol ½ way). Alys slept. I made semolina sponge. To Dance Hall, Major Turner with R.E.M.E. band. Ham toasts. To bed 9.30.
Saturday 9th June 1945
Dull, some sun. Cool, windy.
Arranged books in big sitting-room. Alys did silver. Wrote Ella and Fuel Overseer about coke. Mince, and 5 mins pudding with 2oz baking powder. Rested on bed/ Slept. Alys wrote Lita and Eva. I down 3.40 for play “The Anniversary”. Old lady and “hero” husband. Alys felt sick (vegimin?) and only soup and toast. I Peat pie and salad (got lettuces). Ernest Brown’s speech, and play “My Lady’s Dress” Edward Knoblock. Fay Compton and dreams about silk lace, fur, flowers and mannequin – Anita, Antje.
Memo:
5th James’ 8th birthday
8th Dance. 2 p.m. Badcock.
6th Phil to Smart.
6th James home from St Joseph’s.
7th Wrote Eva (with Isabel’s – mine to her).
8th Nursing Home. Sent 12 eggs to Eva. Sent 12 eggs to Phil.
9th Wrote Fuel Overseer and Ella.
11th Alexander Election speech
12th Archibald Sinclair
12th General Eisenhower given Freedom of City of London.
Sunday 10th June 1945
Fair. Warmish.
Alys and I did shelves and curtains in housekeeper’s room. Asparagus and pancakes with bacon in them. Pancakes with lemon. Rest on bed till 3.30. Made gooseberry fool with Nestlé’s and milk whipped together. In garden, but midges bad. Alys to garden, no tomatoes yet. Grilled mutton (chops) and onion, boiled lettuce, mashed potatoes warmed up. 8.30 Dr Thorne (Mary – Dulcie Gray). Sir Kenneth Clark talked on pictures come back to National Gallery from Welsh caves.
Monday 11th June 1945
Dull. Rained a little p.m.
Did paper salvage jobs. Alys made curry for lunch. Atkinson and Baden did curtains in drawing-room, black out in lavatory. Mrs Peacock cleaned fenders, housekeeper’s room. Alys went for rents, Hodgson, Gell. I wrote Kitty. Sewed pocket on waistcoat. Sardines, chocolate. Savery, Blain’s, Nora, Vera, Mrs Elgey, Miss Peacock, Pringle to Meeting 8 – 9.10.
Tuesday 12th June 1945
Heavy thundery showers. Cool.
I with Blain in car to East Layton re savings stamps. To Ravensworth and got £2.10.0 worth and I listened to Eisenhower receiving Freedom of City of London and his speech. Very good. Peat pie, salad, chip potatoes. Alys had eggs and tomatoes, coffee shapes. Speeches at 2.30, Eisenhower and Churchill. To Gell, Barnes, Holt, Dimmock, Dobinson, O’Brien. Scones for tea. Wrote Phil. Macaroni cheese. Brains Trust – Inman, C. B. Fry. Young, Arnot Robinson.
Wednesday 13th June 1945
Cold and dull and windy.
Mended egg-box. Wrote to Amy Steel for box of foods. Listened to 2 plays “Cut for Partner” and “Pendruther Spells Death” 3.30 till 4.30. In garden cutting grasses. With Alys in top rooms and billiard room – feather mattresses, chairs. Split-pea (U.S.) soup and boiled lettuce and poached eggs. Prunes. Churchill spoke 9.15.
Ellen Wilkinson, Brendan Bracken, Noel-Baker (Transport).
15th Ribbentrop caught.
Thursday 14th June 1945
Dull, cool, some sun. Fine by 5 o’clock and all evening.
Turned out old hay-box, made bonfire, made egg-box and did up1 2 eggs for Eva. Alys made sponge-cake. Baden altered little table for corridor. Tinned ham and rhubarb. Wrote Eva with £20 cheque towards James’ operation. Mrs Peacock helped with feather beds, attics and cleaned kitchen and sitting room. 1 hour’s rest on bed. Alys made scones and to post with eggs and tea (Brewtnall). Made risotto, with tomatoes. In garden, put in wallflowers from pots broken up (tubs). Miss Peacock 8.15. – 10.15.
Friday 15th June 1945
Windy, dull, sunny p.m. Cool.
Changed my bed round and cleaned room a bit. Baden did kitchen door and boudoir chairs. Spam, salad, potato-cheese. Rhubarb. Laundry. Rest on bed. Read “Mayor of Troy”. Made peppermints. Tea. Blain and Arnold scythed borders. I cut grass too. Did up 6 eggs and 2 chocolate for Phil. Alys washed dolls’ clothes. Both to warehouse and sorted out china. Fried eggs and bacon. “Thine Inheritance” 8 – 9 play. Gladys Young as Mother and wife of thief.
Saturday 16th June 1945
Showers a.m. Fine and warmer p.m.
Alys and I to Richmond in car. Took Phil’s trousers to Smith’s. Changed grate (Hodgson’s) at Spence’s. I bought slippers. Got fish. Peat pies lunch, rhubarb. Shortish rest on bed. Alys made truffles of Nestlé’s milk, Nescafé and cocoa. After tea, both to warehouse sorting china. Sowed wallflower seeds. Lemon sole and asparagus mousse. Noel Baker very good Labour speech. “Loyalties”. Very good Ferdinand de Levis by Leon M. Lion.
Memo:
11th Rents. Wrote Kitty.
12th Wrote Phil
13th Wrote Amy Steel
12th First tomatoes, Blain’s gave us.
11th Meeting 8 p.m.
16th Blain’s wages.
14th Wrote Eva with £20 (and 12 eggs).
Poles Meeting at Moscow.
Poles Trial Moscow.
Politics: Jeffrey’s,
Woolton – very good.
Stafford Cripps – very good.
Sunday 17th June 1945
Fine a.m. Dull. Windy p.m.
Turned Kim’s and Zeus’ baskets out in garden. Washed Kim’s. Alys cooked neck lamb and mint sauce. Rhubarb, prunes. Stewed lettuce. Made rolls with yeast and to post with Alys’ letters; and slept on sofa, while rising. Play about Moses as youth. After tea to warehouse. Took paper to salvage tin. Soup and scrambled eggs. At 8.30 Dr Thorne. Talk about sabotage. At 9.15 Captain Gordon’s sister phoned from Kings Langley.
Monday 18th June 1945
Fine and warm. Windy.
Mended dressing-gown, most of a.m. Alys made marmalade pudding; cold lamb. Atkinson and Mrs Peacock took carpet on to lawn (after we’d hovered it) and dragged it across and beat it. Mrs Peacock washed it. Fine in garden. Alys and I and dogs out. Kim bad paw. Soup and fried eggs and bacon, prunes. 8.30 “Fools’ Paradise”.
Tuesday 19th June 1945
Very fine and warm.
Got up 7.45. Baden and Atkinson in 9.30 and put down felt and carpet, moved desk under window, brought in bookcase. Alys had wire from Eva about Rustington; and letter from Mrs Wall to borrow £100. Corned beef, prunes. In car (Alys wrote letters first) at 2.15 to Richmond. Cashed cheque and sent off notes registered (Alys did). Back and I to Holt, Dimmock, Barnes, Dobinson, O’Brien then at 4.15 (after Alys phoned Eva), Miss Peacock, Alys and I to Barnard Castle. Got Pye. “Tea”. To Victoria to see film “Wilson” 5.45 – 7/45/ Home 8.15. Pilchards, mousse. Woolton spoke – very good.
Wednesday 20th June 1945
Dull. Mild.
Alys getting things together for going way. Cold meat, mint sauce. Pancakes. We did up parcels and Alys wrote letter for Will Cave. Blain did car brake and coke came. Alys and I in car to Ravensworth. Post Office closed. To East Layton who took parcels in. Made herring custard. U.S. bouillon. Stafford Cripps. Did up 8 eggs for Phil.
21st Okinawa taken (400 miles from Japan).
Churchill spoke.
Bevin 22nd Lady V. Bonham-Carter. Liberal.
Thursday 21st June 1945
Fine, but too muggy. Thunder, rain 3 – 4.30.
Got up 6.5. Alys, Blain and I in car to Darlington at 7.50. Alys to Kings Cross for Northwood (and Rustington). Posted 8 eggs to Phil. Got 2 siphons soda water!! Fetched the mended chairs (4) from Richardson’s in Temperance Place. Had hair cut 1/6 (3d tip). Home about 11. Made omelette, marmalade pudding warmed up. Mrs Peacock cleaned bathrooms and halls and stairs. Rested 40 minutes. Alys phoned for ration book. Sent it off at 4. In garden (a.m.). Prem and salad and rhubarb. Churchill spoke (Election speech).
Friday 22nd June 1945
Fine and warm. 5 minutes rain in p.m.
Baden soldered lampshade. I made Genoese cake and then 3 cheese soufflés. (Camb: Heath) for lunch. Chocolate mousse. Wrote Alys, Doz (postcard). Fuel Overseer (after phoning Hedley for advice). Form for permit for coke. Posted 12 eggs and lettercard to Eva. In garden for lettuce. Cut “needles” and “nettles”. Made salad dressing. Prem and salad. Rhubarb and custard. “Madame Bovary” Gustave Flaubert at 8.20. Bevin at 9.15.
Saturday 23rd June 1945
Fine. Warm.
Various odd jobs. Blain did Pye and I took it to my room. Roast neck mutton, potatoes. Stewed lettuce. In garden cutting grass by ponds. Play “Happy Ever After” told by butler, Ed Chapman. In garden, weeding. Peat pie, gooseberries, custard. News. Bonham-Carter speech. To bed and listened to “Dear Octopus” till 11.
Memo:
19th Film “Wilson”. Miss Peacock 4.15.
23rd End of points period.
21st 8 eggs to Phil and vitamin chocolate.
20th Tomatoes.
19th Wire to Mrs Wall “Do you know of house for sale your neighbourhood called “All’s Well” coming immediately on market. Do not phone, out tonight. Rumours vague. Embleton.”
22nd 12 eggs to Eva.
23rd 2/6 to Arnold and 7/6 lawn and coke.
27th Anthony Eden spoke.
Sunday 24th June 1945
Fine and warm. A little shower.
Odd jobs all over house. 2 swarms, we searched for Phil’s veil. Made a hash of corned beef (1oz?), tomatoes, onions, milk inside of Peat pie. Rhubarb, cream, sponge-cake. Rest on sofa. Sewed while “Three Women – Rahab” Gordon Daviot 4.5 – 4.30. In garden. Made ginger cake of bun mixture. Fried egg and Prem. Gooseberries. “Dr Thorne” 8.30.
Monday 25th June 1945
Fine, warm. Grey in evening.
Did up parcel of 2lb loaf sugar and Medinal and chocolate and figs for Phil. Cold mutton, salad, new potatoes. Gooseberries and cream. Mrs Peacock cleaned Alys’ room. We moved bed out. Moved tables in Zeus’ room. Wrote Phil and Alys. Phoned D. Simpson. Hash and gingerbread at 7. In car with Baden, Nora and Mr Pringle to Eppleby 8. Lady Dugdale spoke (for Sir Thomas Dugdale). Manners in chair, Waller thanked.
Tuesday 26th June 1945
Dull a.m. Fine p.m.
Mended egg-box and packed 12 and sent off to Alys by Blain at Barnard Castle. Also parcel of Nescafé. Hash and stewed lettuce. Blackcurrants and cream and cake. 25 minutes rest in chair. To Dimmock, Holt, Barnes, Gell, Dobinson. Political talks to all. Cheese Frizzles; gooseberries and custard. Brains Trust. Brian Meredith.
Wednesday 27th June 1945
Dullish. Coolish.
Did 2 bottles blackcurrants, Camden. Boiled round of bacon. To garden. Made pie of baked cheese, tomato, potato. Also salad for lunch. Blackcurrants and cream. 30 minutes. To Holt, Dimmock and Hodgson (to enquire). Planned Alys’ blouse. Listened 2 playlets. Fried egg and bacon. At 7.10 to Ravensworth with Nora Blain and Miss Holt. Lady Dugdale and Lady Swinton spoke. Eden’s speech after News.
28th Sir William Beveridge, Liberal.
29th Acland – Common Wealth 6.30, Morison.
Thursday 28th June 1945
Dullish. Coolish. No rain.
Made new egg-box for 8 eggs for Phil (and chocolate). Counted laundry. Stewed lettuce and hash. Blackcurrant and custard. Mrs Peacock cleaned sitting-room and kitchen. Wrote Phil and Alys and Penn with 2/9 for blades. Posted eggs. Made cheese soufflé. Miss Peacock at 8 – 9. Sir William Beveridge spoke.
Friday 29th June 1945
Dullish. Cool.
Did laundry. Did up oatmeal tin and sent to Murray. In garden, cutting grasses. Cold bacon and salad, blackcurrant, cream and cake. To Richmond at 2. Got petrol. Insurance stamps. To station for Alys’ return ticket. Money 11/-. Back at 4. Hunter came. Ken cut lawn. Baden and I cut “needles”. Kippers and gingerbread. “Louis Pasteur”. Morison.
Saturday 30th June 1945
Fine a.m. Dull later, cold.
Made rolls and spiced buns, yeast. Peat pie, blackcurrants. Rested on sofa 1 hour or more. In garden (a.m.). Worked at Alys’ blouse. Sent off 12 eggs and margarine and lard and coffee to Eva and lettercard. Washed my head (Mink’s shampoo). Kippers and rolls. “Viceroy Sarah”. Gladys Young.
Memo:
Stove let out 24th. Lighted 29th evening.
30th Poz’s birthday
24th 1st new potatoes.
30th Blain’s wages 2/6 Ken lawn paid 7/6 23rd.
27th Dance R.E.M.E. Band
25th Arnold to Skegness.
24th 2 swarms (1st from our hives). Bill Blain had 1 23rd.
All allies in Berlin zones to occupy.
Teddy flew to Germany 2nd.
Sunday 1st July 1945
Fine a.m. Showers after 4.30. Mildish.
Did washing, clothes, gloves. Roast mutton and made pastry and tinned peas. Did up Phil’s zipper blue coat and the sofa cover and my striped frock and material for Huntley. “Poor Dear Mr Overt” Henry James, play 3.45. In garden first and later, weeding path. Kippers and blackcurrant fool (with custard). “Dr Thorne”. Reginald Tate. Did Alys’ blouse. To bed 10.15.
Monday 2nd July 1945
Dullish. Some showers. Cool.
Blain put carpet down by door. In garden weeding. Wrote Alys. Peat pie and peas, rhubarb and cream. Mrs Peacock cleaned stairs, halls. In garden. Corned beef and salad of lettuce and tomato. Chocolate mousse. Meeting at 8, Mrs Savery, Nora, Vera, Blackburn and Blain’s. Play “Squirrel’s Cage” 9.30 – 10.50. Dull.
Tuesday 3rd July 1945
Very fine all day. Warmer.
Began trying to sole Phil’s lambskin boots. Made mince. Had cold mince and new potatoes and salad (lettuce and tomato). Hot rhubarb tart and cream. 30 minutes rest. To Dimmock, Holt, Barnes, Dobinson and O’Brien. Arranged about voting-day. Mrs O’Brien came in for coffee. Took dressing-gown for Eve’s dress. In garden. Made cheese and tomato bread and egg pie. Chocolate mousse and custard. Play 8.15 “Mr Lucas”. Sewed Phil’s boots.
Wednesday 4th July 1945
Dull, hot.
In garden, cutting. Blain made chicken run for 12 young chicks. Cottage pie and lettuces, stewed. Jam tart. 1 hours rest. Garden. I listened to short plays. Sent lettercard for Eva’s birthday with £2 notes in it. Swarm in highest tree. Letter card to Ella. Welsh rarebit. Rhubarb (soup). Sewed Phil’s boots. Lincoln play.
Election Day – 5th
Thursday 5th July 1945
Hot and fine. Nice breeze.
In garden and to Mrs Cliff’s, Mrs Pringle’s to fix about going to vote. Hard boiled egg and salad. Rhubarb and cream. Wrote Phil and did up 12 eggs and chocolate – 1 packet. Mrs Peacock cleaned big bedroom, sitting room, kitchen and swept hut. I in car with Mrs O’Brien (Maureen). Mrs Pringle and Cliff to Caldwell. We voted for Dugdale (Sir Thomas Dugdale – Conservative). Cottage pie and jam tart. In garden weeding. Blain took Mr Pringle, Nora Blain, Dave Blackburn in car to Polling Station in evening.
Friday 6th July 1945
Warm, dull and a little sun.
Altered thin frocks; shortened, mended. In garden weeding. Salad and hard egg and rhubarb. Baden and Ken cut lawn. I rested then sewed and ironed. Did Alys’ blouse. Omelette, with cheese in. Play “Edmund Kean” 8 – 9.
Saturday 7th July 1945
Very fine on whole. Warm, breezy.
Made egg-box for 12 eggs. Sent to Alys at Rustington. Washed check blouse. No appetite so bouillon and Ryvita and gingerbread only. Rested 1 hour on sofa. Wrote Alys and posted eggs, and Hedley’s cheque. In garden, weeding. Made 2 sponge cakes. Mrs Wardle’s recipe (plain flour). Corned beef and salad, rhubarb and sponge cake. Wire from Alys “staying till 14th” (asked for eggs, coffee, tea).
Memo:
2nd Meeting 8 p.m. Welcome Home Fund.
5th Election Day
4th Alys’ birthday 61
5th Eva’s birthday 35
8th Teddys birthday ? Teeds 82?
2nd Blain posted parcel to Gordon Cleaning Co. Registered.
5th Take Miss Holt, Ena Baker, Mrs O’Brien,
Baden takes his wife and Pringle’s.
Mr Churchill at Hendaye (weeks’ holiday).
Russians, U.S.A. and us meet Berlin to settle government.
Sunday 8th July 1945
Hot and fine. Dullish in p.m.
In garden. Cooked roast beef, new potatoes, peas. Raspberries and currants. Sewed Alys’ blouse. “Yes and Back Again” queer radio play. In garden. Did up tea and coffee parcel. Peat pie and salad, rhubarb and sponge cake. Ironed and sewed Alys’ blouse. “Dr Thorne”, Lord Keyes on Art Council (late C.E.M.A. – Council for the Encouragement of Music and the Arts).
Monday 9th July 1945
Fine a.m. Rain after 5.
In car at 10 to Barnard Castle. New ration book registered Hunter and Peal. Posted coffee and tea to Alys at Rustington. Got plaice. Back at 12. Baked fish in milk. Redcurrants and pastry. To Hodgson’s, Gell, Pringle for rents. Mrs Peacock cleaned Phil’s room. Baden painted seats 1st coat grey. In garden. I had rest 5 – 6. Cheese, bread soufflé. Beggars Opera.
Tuesday 10th July 1945
Fine. Rain after 5.
In garden. Blain doing table and seats. Made mince. Cold mince and lettuce (cooked). 30 minutes rest. To Holt, Dimmock, Barnes, Dobinson and O’Brien. In garden with rake and razor. Did redcurrants for bottling. “The Silver Mask” play. Omelette, redcurrants, cake. Wrote Alys lettercard for Eve’s measures. Posted at 10. Penn re blades again.
Wednesday 11th July 1945
Dull, showery. Mild.
In garden weeding path and at steps by front door. Hot mince, broad beans. Did more redcurrants and raspberries. Also finished 2 bottles Camden redcurrants. Short rest p.m. Baden and Ken cut holly trees and tidied drive. I raked it after. 2 plays both very good. “Dear Sara” murdered and R.A.F. “Return Ticket” convict and policeman son. Cheese toasted and grilled. Made scones.
India plan fails.
Clocks back 1 hour.
Thursday 12th July 1945
Fine and warm.
Letters from Aunt Bella. Did up 12 eggs and sent to Northwood. Shepherds pie, fruit and pastry. Mrs Peacock did sitting room. Wrote Alys lettercard. Weeded. Got a lettuce. Salad with tomatoes and hard boiled egg (soup). Miss Peacock 8.40 – 9.30.
Friday 13th July 1945
Fine and hot all day. Perfect. Thunder in night.
Laundry (but he never came for it). Blain painted seats and table in garden, green. Shepherds pie warmed up. Raspberries and currants, custard. At 2 in car to Richmond. To Barclay’s Bank. To cleaners for Phil’s trousers. To Gilling and waited for bus to see Ken, (but not in it!). Got 2 packets lettercards and 2 bottles orangeade. Hedley sent 2 loads coke. Salad with egg and tomato (soup). Cut out mauve zephyr blouse (just bought) and did Alys’ blouse in evening. “The Flaming Door” (Devil).
Saturday 14th July 1945
Fine and hot.
Weeding. Worked at mauve blouse. Cooked (roast) beef and broad beans but ate warmed up shepherds pie and broad beans. Raspberries and currants and cream and cake. Rested 1 hour on sofa. Sewed and listened to “A Friendly Enemy” (vague). In garden, tidying. Salad and Peat pie. Did blouse all evening; Somerset Maugham’s “The Breadwinner”. Ronald Squire, Phyllis Neilson-Terry. Clocks back 1 hour.
Memo:
9th Rents
8th First peas and raspberries and currants
14th Blain’s wages.
12th Pickin rent
13th Ken goes back (paratroops).
13th Phil’s 2nd exam.
12th Strawberries (1st)
11th To Mrs Blain; paid.
17th Churchill, Stalin, Truman meet at Potsdam.
Double Summer Time ended – 1 hour back.
Sunday 15th July 1945
Dull, but no rain after 10. Warm.
Eva phoned 2.30. Sewed mauve blouse and in garden. Washed Phil’s brushes. Warmed up slices beef in gravy, peas, new potatoes. Raspberries and cream. Rested, read paper on sofa. Went on with blouse. 3 play “Miss Bracegirdle Does her Duty”. Aumonier. Garden and finished blouse. Cheese soufflé and scones. Ironed blouse. “Dr Thorne” 8.30. Admiral Dickson on Battle of Atlantic.
Monday 16th July 1945
Dull, cooler, windy.
In garden, weeding. Read Punch. Made mince. Had mince and warmed up peas and potatoes. Bottled plums. Mrs Peacock cleaned my room. I covered arms of green chair in Phil’s room. Wrote lettercard to Alys. Baden and Nancy mowed the lawn. I weeded. Fried lettuce, egg, tomato. Made honeycomb candy. Began black and white gingham blouse. “Trial of Lizzie Borden”.
Tuesday 17th July 1945
Hot. Fine. Windy and dullish in p.m.
In garden, clearing steps. Did check blouse collar. Warmed up mince, boiled lettuce. Plums. Zeus in basket all day, ate nothing except breakfast. Rest 1 hour. To Holt, Barnes, Dobinson, O’Brien. In garden weeding. Egg in salad supper. Telegram at 8.45. “Philip qualified. Alys”. Sent one “Overjoyed, congratulations. Aunt Kate”. Did blouse, very happily.
Wednesday 18th July 1945
Dull, warm.
Did up 10 eggs for Phil and 12 eggs for Eva. Baden fixed up extractor. Mince, potatoes, plums. Wrote lettercard to Phil. Wrote with Pickin’s rent. Baden took off 22lb honey. In garden cutting grass. Finished check (small) blouse and ironed.
Thursday 19th July 1945
Variable. Warm sun and thunder showers.
Finished arms on chair. Cleared up rooms. Dusted Alys’ room. Hot bottles. Veg soup, potato salad. Made salad cream. Mrs Peacock did kitchen and sitting room. Baden extracted 27lb honey. Wrote Kitty. Posted at Darlington. Tinned “vegs” in gravy, chocolate mousse. To Darlington at 8.15. Alys arrived 8.50. She had boiled egg and raspberries and cream. To bed 10.30.
Friday 20th July 1945
Dull. Cooler. Very windy.
Alys had coffee and porridge in dressing gown and to bed again till 12. Baden told about Tweddell and I rang up Langstaff, also Catterick Camp about Concert. Wired Barnard’s Phil qualified. Tinned pork and salad. Barnard’s wired – thought holiside or homicide! Alys and I to Richmond in p.m. for her new ration book and rations. Made scones and had coffee. Read letters to Alys and newspapers. Scrambled eggs and grilled cheese on them. Raspberry shape and stewed raspberries.
Saturday 21st July 1945
Showery. Dull. Warmish.
Alys changing chair and settee covers. Clark phoned. Pork (Canadian) tinned and salad. Raspberry jelly. Rested on bed – slept. Alys wrote Phil and to garden. I wrote lettercard to Eva and letter Aunt Bella. We went to warehouse to look out pictures. Car to East Layton, after tea, for parcel and letter. To warehouse again. Peat pies and chocolate mousse. Play “The Immortal Lady” Clifford Bax. Jacobite and Elector of Hanover. Lydia Sherwood.
Memo:
18th Extracted 20lb honey (first).
19th Extracted 27lb honey
17th Telegram “Philip Qualified, Alys”.
19th Alys comes north
18th Wrote Pickin with rent.
19th Wrote Kitty.
21st Points Period ends.
Blains sent in 2 little peaches (first).
18th Sent 12 eggs Eva. 10 to Phil.
Sunday 22nd July 1945
Changeable. Mild. Showers.
Sick in night (very little) 2.30. Arranging pictures, plate, looking-glass in sitting-room. Alys cooked beef stew and we had peas and new potatoes and fruit jelly. Rested, slept on bed and listened to play about Robert Greene (and Shakespeare, Nashe, Harvey) till 4.30. Wrote bills and Alys signed cheques to enclose. Poached eggs on boiled lettuce and fruit cream. Alys made gingerbread.”Dr Thorne”. Alys ironed cushion cover and soaked ham. U.S. soldier talked on coming back from Far East and value changes.
Monday 23rd July 1945
Warm. Perfect all day. Windy.
Baden extracted 28lb honey. Ken in too. Got lettuce. Corned beef, fruit cream (raspberries and currants and tinned milk). Mrs Peacock cleaned windows, throne room. I Bissell’ed Committee Room. Rested, slept on bed. Gingerbread 4.30. Alys made sponge-cake. I made button holes on blouse. Meat “cake” and chocolate mousse. At 8 Mrs Savery, Mrs Elgey, Miss Peacock, Baden and Nora. Concert discussed. Phoned Simpsons about stage. “Opium Eater” play. Esmé Percy.
Tuesday 24th July 1945
Very fine. Hot.
Baden took off 27lb honey. I began notice about R.A.C. Concert. Also putting 7lb little plums in Camden. Cold meat cake and lettuce. Rest on bed. Read. To Holt, Barnes, Dobinson, O’Brien. Dobinson gave 2lb sugar for Concert party. Phil phoned form York at 6.30. We had egg and tomato and breadcrumb pie. Plums. Phil arrived in his car at 10.20? Had taken Lou to her home on way and detour as bridge at Boroughbridge down. Phil had egg and cocoa and toast.
Wednesday 25th July 1945
Very fine.
Went on with notice a.m. and p.m. Cold beef, peas (went and fetched). Coffee junket. In hut with Phil 2 or so till 3.15 while he told me all about his exam (Finals L.R.C.P. (Licentiate of the Royal College of Physicians) and M.R.C.S. (Membership of the Royal Colleges of Surgeons)). Tea in garden. Alys and Phil to Jackson’s in my car for bolts for Phil’s car. I weeded garden. Ham and salad. News. Up to garage to hear Band at Dance. To bed 10.15.
Labour 392
Conservative 197
Liberal 10
I.L.P. (Independent Labour Party) 3
Common Wealth 1
Independent 4
Communist 2
Thursday 26th July 1945
Fine a.m. Dull p.m. Warm.
I with Phil to Richmond, he for car light glass. I got his Emergency Rations and oranges. We saw over the Theatre (1788). Alys had made mince and broad beans and trifle. Mrs Peacock did sitting room. We had rests. Tea indoors. Baden had wire saying Vacancy at Newcastle Clinic. I in car to Collingwood, Ireland, Savery, Corner, Wardle. Alys and Phil in Phil’s car to Rev. Booth re forms for concert. Results of Election – sweeping victory for Labour. Ham and salad. To bed soon after 9 o’clock News.
Friday 27th July 1945
Fine a.m. Dull p.m. Fine evening.
Alys and Phil up 6.30 and drove Blain to Darlington for 8.30 train to Newcastle. I did stove (coke). With Phil to Watson’s for petrol. Alys’ jelly with egg, carrot, ham in and chocolate Bruxelles. We all did behind Cozy stove with gold paint, 2 coats (got at Knott’s in a.m.). After tea, Phil cleaned his car wheels. I read Times. Took some honey upstairs. Out with dogs in garden. Kippers. News. To bed about 10. Laundry didn’t come.
Saturday 28th July 1945
Fine.
Made salad dressing (kitchen front recipe). Garden for lettuces, gooseberries, tomatoes. Laid fire. Phil to Brown’s and stayed lunch. We had slices tomato on fried bread and Peat pie. Trifle. Rests. To Blain’s first. Alys to Mrs Peacock in car. After tea, I to Hodgson’s; sat on seat with him. Annie worse. Weeded. Phil cleaning his car. Stewed lettuce, poached eggs. Chocolate leftover. Gooseberries.
Memo:
26th Oranges
23rd Meeting Welcome Home re concert (Profits £15.6.4 on 31st).
25th Dance
28th Blain’s wages
24th Phil comes (Lou Constantine).
23rd 28lb honey
24th 27lb honey
27th Fire (Cozy) 1st time for weeks.
Attlee (Prime Minister) and Bevan (Foreign Affairs) at Potsdam (instead of Churchill and Eden).
Sunday 29th July 1945
Fine. Warm.
Put watercolours up (Phil did) and I tried to distemper wall. Alys cooked beef, peas. Gooseberry Fool. Phil in my car to Bedale to see Robert Hansell, at 2.30. Back at 7.30. I tried on dresses and did alternatives. Alys made gingerbread and sponge cake and scones. Short rest in hut. Did some weeding and cutting by steps. Bacon and eggs supper. Eva phoned about car. I listened “This is the Law” (Jury) and “Dr Thorne” at 8.30. Ironed.
Monday 30th July 1945
Dull. Warm.
Phil to Darlington in my car to meet Lou Constantine. Alys made Brussels mince shape and chocolate. I got salad together. After lunch rested. Phil and Lou round about and in Granary where R.A.C. (Royal Armoured Corps) man working all day at stage curtains. Tea and then Phil and Lou in Phil’s car to Dairy Bridge and to dine Catterick Bridge. 8 Committee Meeting and all of us and Alys to Hall to arrange seats. Phil phoned at 10.45 from Scotch Corner and Alys and I in car to take petrol.
Tuesday 31st July 1945
Fine. Warm.
Up to Hall and rearranged seats. R.A.C. (Royal Armoured Corps) putting spot-lights. Rissoles and broad beans. Took certificates to Baker’s Barnes. Rested. Tea. Alys and Phil to Jackson’s for oil (fuel). Boiled eggs at 7, Our Welcome Home concert, by Royal Armoured Corps Party. Very good indeed. No payment but supper for 20 or more. 7.45 till 10.10. Made £15.6.4 profit (took 18).
Wednesday 1st August 1945
Perfect day.
Up for tea cups. Called Hodgson. R.A.C. to take their properties away. Alys made up fried left-overs and stewed lettuce. Coffee junket. To Mrs Blain’s. Wrote Doz and Baden. Rested. Tea in garden. Cut nettles and cleared path through wood. Supper (macaroni cheese) in hut. I listened News downstairs. Phil and Alys in his room.
Report of Potsdam Conference published. Broadcast at 10.30 in England, Russia, U.S.A.
King and President Truman met on Renown. 2nd.
Thursday 2nd August 1945
Perfect. Hot.
Phil found my car out of order. He and Alys to Watson’s with it and on to Richmond. We all 3 to Aldborough and lunched at Stanwick Arms (Mrs Holywell). Soup, chicken, cherries and cream. Mrs Peacock cleaned kitchen and sitting room. Sent for driving licence with 5/- stamps. To Post and heard Hodgson sent for as Annie very very ill. Washed and ironed grey silk. Detective Quiz 9.20? Watson came and saw EYT. U.S. pork and salad. Raspberries – wormy!
Friday 3rd August 1945
Perfect. Hot.
Called Alys at 8. She made sandwiches and off with Phil in his car to Darlington. Phil met Lou and together to Newcastle (refill Dickenson). Alys had hair cut. I made raspberry and redcurrant mousse. Washed socks. Boiled egg. Alys back by busses via Barnard Castle with rations at 3.45. I soused herrings she brought. In garden. Tea (Alys slept first). Wrote notes to Hodgson (Annie died). Took to him. To garden, ordered wreath off Mrs Blain. Phil home 8. Fried herrings and mousse. Robert Hansell phoned. Laundry.
Saturday 4th August 1945
Perfect. Hot but breeze.
Alys took wreath (made by Mrs Bill Blain) to the Hodgson’s. Bacon and eggs for lunch and chocolate mousse. Alys cooked lamb as hot. Phil and I in his car to Richmond 2.45. Posted shirts 3/4. Gordon Cl. To Church to funeral service at 3 of Annie Hodgson, and after to cemetery, Reeth Road. To station for suitcase. No bread for sale. Tea. Rested on bed. In gardens and Phil’s hut with him. Soused herrings and fruit mousse. Play “Ambrose Applejohn’s Adventure”. Laidman Browne.
Memo:
30th Meeting.
31st Concert. R.A.C. party 7.45 Welcome Home.
3rd Badcock 3 p.m. Alys to Binns 11.15?
1st Wrote Doz.
2nd New batteries in both sets
3rd Phil to Dickinson, refill.
6th “Atomic Bomb” – “harnessing the atom” announced on 9 p.m. News. (one dropped on Japan on Hiroshima).
New York journalist “biggest News since Adam’s rib”.
Sunday 5th August 1945
Fine, hot a.m. Thunderstorm and cooler p.m.
Stewed apples in redcurrant juice and shelled peas. Cold lamb and mint sauce. Phil cut gorse and broom. I cleared rock steps. Listened to bits from play at Vaudeville. Fay Compton. “No Medals”. Alys boiled ham. After tea covered and carried up about 50lb honey! Phil in top room and in hut. Lou rang up Alys. Jelly with meat and egg in, and salad and peas. “Dr Thorne” (last). “They Lived to Tell the Tale”. 9.30.
Monday 6th August 1945
Very cold and dull. Some showers. Cozy Stove.
Phil working with gorse. I made coleslaw. Alys made caramel pudding. Phil made card of wave lengths for radio. Listened bit of England v. Australia Test at Lords. Slept on bed. Looking at old letters 1798 Cawood. Made custard. Fire in sitting-room. Made scrambled eggs. Ham. News. 9. Dominated by atomic bomb announcement.
Tuesday 7th August 1945
Dull, showers. Cozy Stove.
To garden for tomatoes and lettuces. Mutton and cooked lettuce and apples and custard. Alys for rents to Hodgson and Gell. I made scones and heated bread in oven (as no new bread). Robert Hansell in p.m. (in car). To tea. In top-room after. Stayed supper. Electric engine, wrong. Jackson came at 7.15? Phil and Robert Hansell up there. Ham and salad and chocolate mousse and peaches. He went at 8.45. Mended Phil’s mac pockets.
Wednesday 8th August 1945
Fair, mild. Some sun.
Alys and Phil to Richmond for bread. Most shops shut for a week! Took trousers to Smith’s, got yeast. I stewed apples and did Cozy Stove. Tinned stew and broad beans. In p.m. I made rolls with yeast and egg. Alys wrote Eva. Rested on sofa. After tea, looked at genealogical trees. I out and cut grass and raked by rock-garden. Ham and salad at 8. “The Notebooks on the Barrow” Thomas Traherne (1st thought Henry Vaughan) Sackville-West.
Russia declared War on Japan 8th August.
2 Atomic bombs on Nagasaki.
10th Message of surrender from Japan radio.
Allies send reply to Japan – peace offer 11th
Thursday 9th August 1945
Fair, fine in p.m. Mild.
Got up 6.50, called Alys at 7.15. Breakfast 7.45 Phil away in car 8.15 to meet Lou at Northallerton (Tan Hill later). Baden in and long talk. Stew and cabbage. Pain perdu. Long rest and slept on bed (eyes irritating). Mrs Peacock did sitting-room. In garden. Tea. Alys and I did a lot of moving tables, desk in 2 big front rooms. Own bacon (Alys cut out) and fried bread. Apples and cream. Miss Peacock in with laundry. Phil back at 10.40. 12 eggs to Eva.
Friday 10th August 1945
Perfect day. Hunter came, not paid.
Alys and I to Richmond in Phil’s car, for Phil’s rations. Got haddock and cod. Back 12.30. At 1 News of Japanese surrender. Watson phoned – my car ready. Phil and I in his car to fetch it at 2. Rests. Tea in garden. I to Barnes’ to buy 2 loaves as Hunter sent none. Baden, Bill and Nancy cut lawn. Phil to Brown’s for books (Plantagenet “Harrison’s”). I clearing lower path of bushes of ivy. Haddock supper. Phil to bed at 9.5 (to read “Storms”). Alys at 9.30. I at 10.
Saturday 11th August 1945
Dull early, then perfect.
“Assize at Arms” came. Phil and Baden looked in bee-hives. Alys made stew and cabbage, Apples (stewed). Chocolate junket. Rested. Alys sent off frock to Eve; which came from Miss Blackburn this a.m. 7/6 with knickers, buttons. Tea in garden. Did some weeding. Minced ham and scrambled eggs. Phil to bed at 8.45. I listened to “Acacia Avenue” Constanduros play.
Memo:
6th Rents
8th Baden returned.
11th Baden’s wages.
Atomic Bomb “End of war or end of the world”. “Atomic Age” begins.
14th Midnight. Attlee broadcast Japan’s surrender
15th Opening of Parliament and King’s Speech.
V..J. Day – Victory over Japan 15th
Sunday 12th August 1945
Dull till 3.30. Then fine. Coolish.
Wardle’s gave sponge cake and butter. Made custard for trifle (Alys roasted beef, broad beans. Rested. Alys wrote Poz inviting her for 16th. Tea in garden. Cut grass towards swing. Charley Watson and son aged 4 came to see engines. Phil with them top room. I tried made blackcurrant mousse. Alys made omelettes supper. Sir C. Darwin on Atoms, neutrons. Skagerrak.
Monday 13th August 1945
Dull. Mild. Finer but no real sun in p.m.
Gave Wardle’s 8oz sugar. Phil and Baden extracted 17lb honey. I covered some older and took upstairs. Cold mince and salad. In garden. Rested. Mrs Peacock cleaned Halls and stairs. Tea in garden, in sun. Cut some weeds. Alys and Phil in his car to Watson’s and drove to Ovington, Raby, Gainford. Cauliflower au gratin. Advance of Jaguar drop-front car. £800. Barbara Ward. Foreign Commentary. Implications for Atomic Age.
Tuesday 14th August 1945
Dull. Mild. Finer but no real sun in p.m.
Alys and I to Richmond in my car. Got kippers (bread very scarce). Eiderdown 4/6. Alys’ jelly with hard boiled eggs and tomato in it and salad. Chocolate mousse. 30 minutes rest. To Holt, Dimmock, Barnes, Dobinson’s. Long talks to all (Noel and Frank at Middlesborough for tonsils). Tea in garden. Did a lot of cutting grass and tidying. Kippers supper. “Dolls House” on A.F.N Playhouse 9.30 – 10. 12. Attlee announced Japanese surrender. Telegram “Dear Dorrie passed peacefully today, Sidney”.
Wednesday 15th August 1945
Dull, cool. Rain in p.m. Cozy stove.
V. J. Day. Phil and Blain took off 22lb honey. I made marmalade pudding (Hindhaugh). Stew and jelly again, and very good green peas. Wrote Gertrude Chamberlain. Alys wrote Sidney and Dennis Laughton. Tea in sitting-room. Cozy lighted. Covered some honey. Alys gave Mrs Bill Blain blackcurrant jam, and Baden port (for V. J.) Kippers and peaches. King broadcast at 9. Phil in top room. Alys slightly painy.
15th Second holiday for V. J.
Thursday 16th August 1945
Rain a.m. (some). Dull but fair later. Mild.
Out for big lettuce for stewing. Alys made fish mould from salmon. Stewed apples. Mrs Peacock came in a.m. Did carpets (from flower room) and sitting room. Phil in top-room (engine). All had rests in p.m. I slept. Posted letters about Dorrie. Tea indoors. Out cutting and tidying grass by heather. Alys and Phil to Road end. Scrambled eggs (4 waterglass, 4 fresh), grapes. “Of Brides in Bath”. Ribs bacon to soak. Poz wrote unable to come.
Friday 17th August 1945
Dull, rain after 12.15.
Alys and Phil to Barnard Castle for rations in my car. I made rice pudding, shelled peas, got old potatoes. Alys bought cod, and put in oven. Alys made 2 gingerbreads in p.m. Rested. After tea, Phil and I sprayed Abol on garden path weeds. Blain (fetched by Alys) cleared gutter over W.C. (dripping into room through ceiling). Bacon and eggs (fried), cheese and Bath Olivers, apples. More Abol and Phil to Baden’s to fix about Dr Leishman’s. Blain to Leishman’s in my car 9.30.
Saturday 18th August 1945
Very dull, mild.
Phil put on a lot more cans of weed-killer. I did some weeding. Fish-cakes and anchovy sauce (and tomato sauce), cheese and biscuits. I made chocolate shape with gelatine from chocolate junket. Rested, slept. Tea. In garden clearing netting above cliff. Phil put asbestos in toaster beautifully. Tomato soup and cold bacon (ours) and toast. Music Hall “Hutch” Leslie Hutchinson. Negro (sang “Lets Fall in Love” old record).
Memo:
13th 18lb honey
15th 22lb honey
18th Points end.
15th Sid Dobinson began coke.
14th Alys wrote Ella
14th Drops in my eyes.
Japanese envoys arrive at Manila to surrender.
Sunday 19th August 1945
Dull. Mild.
Phil cut down broom, with saw (bushes). I ruined cooked lettuce by forgetting it. Roast beef, chocolate shape (of junket). Harry Brown phoned, and came at 3. Alys made scones. He stayed till past 5. Phil showed Bil Blain’s the top-room. Sardines and spaghetti, cheese and biscuits. “The ‘45” about Prince Charles Edward.
Monday 20th August 1945
Dull. Cool.
King-Hall on Atomic Era. Phil and Baden extracted 18lb honey. I took paper to salvage (last time?) Mrs Peacock cleaned kitchen, Phil’s room. Phil to Brown’s at 3 and took H. to Watson’s and had tea, and then with Dorothy B. to the house in Peel Tower. In garden, by heather. Omelette, meat and peas. “Radar” story of Boffin 9.30 – 11.
Tuesday 21st August 1945
Rain all day. Heavy at times.
Alys, Phil and I in my car to Darlington and Phil and I to Badcock 11.30. My teeth fitted (2nd set). Lunch. Bainbridge Barkers 2/- each. Phil bought shoes, crepe-soled and pants. Bac at 2.50. I out to Holt, Dimmock, Barnes, Dobinson and O’Brien. Tea. Read Times and Manchester Guardian. ALys baked plaice and boiled potatoes, lobster sauce. Reading about Jacobites, Lovat, Balmerino, Kilmarnock, Bruce (and de Brus of Skelton) in Scott’s Tales of a Grandfather.
Wednesday 22nd August 1945
Dull.
Phil and Blain extracted 15lb honey. To gardens. Alys made mince with rice round. French beans. Stewed peaches. Rested till 3.45. Alys to call on Mrs Fife at East Layton Hall. Put 7lb plums in Camden. Tidied kitchen for Committee. Sherry in Phil’s hut. Cut grass by heather. Phil cut laurels. Soup, pilchards, Savery, Vera, Mrs Elgey, Miss Peacock, Blackburn’s, Baden at 8. Decided to close Welcome Home Fund after 29th Dance. Over £100 to date.
Lease Lend to end.
23rd very grave financial situation for Great Britain – Attlee.
Thursday 23rd August 1945
Dull. Showers.
Phil and Blain extracted 7 ½ lb honey. Washed honey things and Phil put wax into muslin over pail. Cut out covers for hives. Spam and bean and potatoes, tomato salad. Phil had corned beef, chocolate pudding with chocolate sauce. Baden and Nancy cut lawn. Rest and then posted 12 eggs to Eva. Alys phoned her. Mrs Peacock cleaned sitting room. Washed honey extractor. Honey all out of Phil’s room. Welsh rarebit with 2 eggs, plums. American – Commentary and “Jack the Ripper”.
Friday 24th August 1945
Dullish, very little sun. Warm. Windy.
Odd cleaning ups, lathe-room, ping-pong room. Got mint, shelled peas. Alys boiled large cockerel. Phil in top room. Blain in my car, took his mother to opticians (Leatherbarrow), Richmond. I rested on sofa. Hunter came at 3.30. After tea, raked path and led laurels away that Phil had sawn off. Till 7.15 gin and orange in Phil’s hut. Alys made omelettes with chicken liver and peas in them. Grave statement by Attlee on our financial position.
Saturday 25th August 1945
Fine, cool wind.
Alys and I to Barnard Castle in my car. Got Phil’s ration emergencies. I queued for oranges but no good (same allocation as July 23rd). Back 12.45 cold chicken, lettuce, potatoes, custard. Phil cheese and biscuits. In garden Bill Blain scythed bank. Rests. Phil and Blain put lawn sand on plantago. I got out more of wire netting after tea. Phil in top room to solder. Fresh herrings in oatmeal. I baked apples peeled. “Great North Road” – Ed Chapman as tinker. All to bed 10.30.
Memo:
21st 11.30 Badcock’s.
22nd Meeting 8 p.m.
20th 18lb honey
22nd 15lb honey.
23rd 7½lb honey
25th Blain’s wages
23rd Sid put coke in (lawn cut)
Sunday 26th August 1945
Very fine and warm.
2lb honey to Wardle’s. Phil sore throat and eyes (Abol?) All of us looking at trees to be cut down. Phil and I did beeswax in kitchen in pail on blow stove with 4lb weight. Alys cooked beef, broad beans (too old). Apples. Rests in p.m. Tea in garden. Harry Browne on his motorcycle. Told us about house near Seahouses. We sat in garden. Then he and Phil to top room. Then sherry (Bristol Cream!). Cold chicken and potatoes and tomato salad. Sir Lawrence Bragg on New Era (Fire, Agriculture, Domestic Animals).
Monday 27th August 1945
Very fine. Warm.
Washed all the beeswax utensils in big kitchen. Alys made chicken cutlets, cabbage. Wrote Doz about E.B. cheque. Rest on bed and came down 3.30. as Mrs Pease and Lady Serena James came. End of Rural Pennies Red Cross. Phil doing his car with Blain most of day. rested on coke patch. All of us to Barnard Castle at 5 in BHN to see Noel Coward’s “Blithe Spirit” at Victoria. Margaret Rutherford as Medium. Very good. Rex Harrison. Bacon and eggs and chicken broth.
Tuesday 28th August 1945
Dullish, warm, Thunder in air.
Blain mended bathroom window cord. Phil and Blain did Phil’s car. Cold beef and peas. Chocolate sauce over sponge cake. In garden. 30 minutes rest. Phil rested by nursery window and then to Brown’s to tea (and Richmond in Riley). I to Dimmock, Barnes, Dobinson, O’Brien. Alys made scones. Read paper. Brushed Kimbo. Phil back 8.5. Macaroni, pink onions, tomato. Lathe engine queer.
Wednesday 29th August 1945
Dull. Heavy rain and thunder in p.m.
Covered honey. Alys stuffed vegetable marrow. Phil doing engine with Blain (lathe engine). I washed up. Rests. Expected H. Brown and Kenneth Clark, but both phoned too wet. Wrote Ella. Buttered eggs. Phil in lathe room till 9.35 then changed and to our Dance till 12.15.
Thursday 30th August 1945
Dull, coolish. Cozy stove.
Weeded. Phil mending black engine. Alys made cottage-pie; carrots, baked apples. Rests. Harry Browne to tea and to borrow electric switch? And saw Lincoln-Zephyr, and in top room and Phil ran train. I weeded and raked on path and drive. Took 12 eggs to post for Eva and oatmeal tin to Murray and letter to Ella. Alys roasted ham and boiled a knuckle (with fried eggs) for supper. Miss Peacock in. We talked about party for children.
Friday 31st August 1945
Fairish. Coolish.
Alys and Phil in Phil’s car to Darlington (Cox-Walker, Cobbler’s, Fords, Kippers) and lunch (bad). Bainbridge Barkers. On to Newcastle for Phil’s refill and coffee and Lucas. Back via coast and Middlebrough. I did honey and weeded. Laundry. Wrote Kitty. Stuffed vegetable marrow lunch. Alys got kippers for supper. Meeting at 8. Savery, Blackburn’s, Blain’s, Vera, Pringle, Mrs Elgey, Miss Peacock. End of “Welcome Home” Fund. Discussed piano and also party for children for Victory Commemoration.
Saturday 1st September 1945
Fine. Cool wind.
Phil and Blain trying to start Lincoln-Zephyr. Alys and I to Barnard Castle at 10.45 for rations. Back 12.30. Tinned steak and rice. Cheese and biscuits. Made coffee junket into moka shape with gelatine and white egg. Rest. Tea in garden. Hoed and raked paths. Phil too (Phil on Lincoln-Zephyr all p.m. No rest). Alys and Phil to Post Office. East Layton for Phil’s welding parcel. Kippers. Phil cutting out pattern of tender cab.
Memo:
29th Dance.
Dickinson this week? Newcastle 31st
31st Meeting. On Sunday Buchenwald 9.30 escapee.
Japanese sign surrender in Tokyo with MacArthur and China, Great Britain, Russia, France, Australia, New Zealand there.
5th British re-enter Singapore.
Sunday 2nd September 1945
Fair.
Both Phil and I did a lot of hoeing and raking paths. Roast beef and peas (chocolate shape). Jackson brought battery for Lincoln-Zephyr. It was started, and Phil drove in field (Barnes’). I listened in to Emlyn Williams in “The Wind of Heaven”. Little rest. Tea indoors. Alys drove Lincoln-Zephyr to quarry (Phil and I in it) and back into garage. Put weed-killer on path. Ham and Peat pie and savoury rice. “The Young Chevalier”, songs and tunes.
Monday 3rd September 1945
Fair.
Alys collected rents. All of us and Baden cleaning Lincoln-Zephyr all a.m. Alys made ginger steamed pudding. Cold beef and salad. I to Richmond for car seat covers to Swaledale cleaners and got Phil’s trousers and took others to Smith’s. Trying to plan and patch car carpets (moth eaten) till 7.20. Tea indoors. Phil rested on lawn. Heinz chicken soup and ham. “The Wild Duck” Milton Rosmer and Belle Crystall as Hedwig. Kim bad paw.
Tuesday 4th September 1945
Very fine. Warm.
Alys and I to Richmond to find binding or mat for Lincoln-Zephyr. Sent 12 eggs to Eva. Sent Phil’s coat, Alys skirt and sheepskin boots to Huntly. Soused herrings (I did yesterday) for lunch. Short rest. To Holt, Dimmock, Barnes, Gell, Dobinson. Tea. Phil rested on lawn. He to Brown’s in a.m. and sent off Ad to Yorkshire Post re Lincoln-Zephyr. Weeded and tidied Ozzy’s knoll. Phil clipped yew. Omelettes and ham.
Wednesday 5th September 1945
Cool. Grey but some run at times.
Got blackberries from wall and cooked them with apples. Alys made curry stew, green peas. Long rests. Tea. Out to garage about Lincoln-Zephyr floor. Then I cutting grass above rock garden. Alys and Phil with Lincoln-Zephyr. Alys made tomato-egg-cheese dish in oven. “The Atom Explodes” 9.15 – 10. Rutherford, Becquerel, Curies, Hahn. Toothache.
Thursday 6th September 1945
Very fine. Lovely.
Doing carpet in Zephyr. Phil took weed out of pond. Alys made “Pain de boeuf” with sauce, French beans. Phil with Brown’s in Harry’s car to Darlington, at 1.30. I in my car to Darlington at 2.15. Posted 1lb tea to Milne. Got 2 rubber mats for Lincoln-Zephyr 6/11 and 8/6. To Badcock at 3.30. Did my tooth. Tried to get Basic, failed. Home 4.45. Tea with Phil (Alys rested in garden on lawn. Mrs Peacock here). Alys and I did car carpets. Juienne soup; ham, apples.
Friday 7th September 1945
Fine. Coolish.
Got up 7.45 (instead of 8.20). Alys and I very busy on car carpets and foot-rest. Neasham and Sales Manager to see Lincoln-Zephyr at 11.30. In garden. Alys made salmon fish-pie, baked apples. Rest. Alys pricked damsons (for wine). Others came to see Lincoln-Zephyr (£600 offer refused). Harry Brown to tea and out in Lincoln-Zephyr. I clearing up weed from pond and weeds near waterfall. Minced ham and scrambled egg. Phil in lathe-room till 9.30.
Saturday 8th September 1945
Fair. Coolish.
Alys and I to Richmond. Got herrings and kippers. Got Phil’s dynamo at station. Alys got gin at Singleton’s. Herrings fried for lunch and chocolate mousse. Sent off Adverts of Lincoln-Zephyr to Times and Northern Echo. Phil got his engine fixed and worked lathe with it p.m. and evening till 10, boring piston shaft. I cleared up pond weed. Still taking aspirin for toothache.
Memo:
6th Pickin Rent, 72 Adelaide Road.
3rd Rents.
8th Blain’s wages.
4th Advert Lincoln-Zephyr to Yorkshire Post.
8th Advert Lincoln-Zephyr to Times and Northern Echo.
Japanese surrender at Singapore.
Sunday 9th September 1945
Fair. Cool.
Cooked damsons. Alys made mousse with custard of then. Roast mutton, mint sauce, cabbage, potatoes. Bruxelles Chocolate. Wrote Aunt Bella. Sent car-book to C.C. at Northallerton for new one and basic. Mended Zeus’ basket, till 4.15. Phil to tea at Dunsa Bank. I had coffee and scones. Alys rested till 6 and no tea. Took things out of nursery. Kippers. Phil in lathe room till 9.45. “Ack Ack” talk General Sir Frederick Pile.
Monday 10th September 1945
Dull, slight rain. Cool.
Baden and Ken took up carpet in nursery and put other one (office) down. Phil changed radiators. We got room ready for Phil to rest in p.m. Cold mutton, herrings (warmed up), chocolate and damson. Mrs Peacock helped move green carpet to housekeeper’s room and stair carpets. I had rest. Alys not. After tea, I hoed path. Phil working on his car radiators. Bacon and eggs. Phil at lathe all evening and at 9.45 ruined his casting as lathe stuck and spoilt the boring. He wrote and sent £1.0.0 cheque to Summerscales. Phil wrote Captain Gordon.
Tuesday 11th September 1945
Damp, misty, some sun and wind. Muggy.
Phil garage, doing his car. Ken said goodbye. Cold lamb, chutney, lettuces (tiny). Stewed apples. Alys and Phil to Darlington. Cox-Walker. I wrote Pickin with rent. Rested. To Holt, Dimmock, Barnes, Dobinson, O’Brien. All of us home at 4.30. Tea. Harry Brown came. Lathe and books in sitting-room. Turbot and sauce and potatoes. Phil at lathe till 10.
Wednesday 12th September 1945
Muggy, some sunshine. Windy, later thundery.
Milk sour. To garden for mint and about. Apples for storing. Phil in garage and then rested in hut. Alys made mince with macaroni round. Vegetable marrow. Stewed apples. Rests in p.m. Up at 3 and made scones (sour cream). In garden cutting grass by ponds till 7.20. Orange and gin in hut. Kippers. Man (Cormiston, Hutton) about Lincoln-Zephyr at 8.15. Teddy phoned from Northwood. Wrote about “Gor-ray” skirt and to post 10 p.m.
Thursday 13th September 1945
Cool. Dull a.m. Fine sunny p.m.
Letters from Eva and Teddy, Eve and James (Kitty and Lois on 11th). My 66th birthday. Alys gave 4 peaches! And J. H. Morgan’s Book “Assize of Arms: The Disarmament of Germany her Rearmament (1919-1939)”. Mrs Peacock at 9 a.m. Did apple drawers, kitchen, spare bathroom. Preparing for Mary Hare. Fishcakes of turbot, sauce. Queen of puddings. All lovely. Rest and sleep. Mrs Peacock stayed all p.m. After tea, I stained a bit of “Nursery” floor. Then in garden cutting near steps. Phil fitted his switches in lathe-room. Eggs and bacon and chocolate mousse. Painted names on Phil’s tin boxes. American Commentary. Alastair Cooke. “Dr Crippen”.
Friday 14th September 1945
Showers and sunshine. Fine in p.m.
I to Barnard Castle 10.50 (after laundry). Got rations for 3 for this week. Fish, stain. Back at 12.45. Roast ham (shoulder). Hot custard and apples. Mrs Peacock in p.m. to do extra. Alys got spare room and bathroom, all pretty. I rested. We had tea in housekeeper’s room! Mrs Peacock cleaning sitting room. Did some grass-cutting and tidying. Baked beans supper. Phil to meet Dr Mary Hare (Clinical Assitant at University College Hospital, London) at Darlington at 9. She had beer and ham and tea and toasted gingerbread. Alys put sugar in damson wine.
Saturday 15th September 1945
Dull, windy.
Alys and Phil and Mary Hare in Phil’s car to Richmond. Peat pies, ham, French beans; apples and custard. Rests in p.m. Wrote advert: Lincoln-Zephyr to be put in Newcastle Journal and Chronicle. After tea and doing weeds by pond, Phil and Mary to Post Office and Barnard Castle by Winston. Baked cod fillet with lovely sauce. Moka Mousse. Grapes.
Memo:
14th 3 baskets Lord Denby’s 1 ½ stone? Put in drawer.
15th Points end.
11th Wrote Pickin with rent.
9th Wrote Aunt Bella
11th Kenneth Blain away (to Palestine in Paratroops).
13th Sid 4 times.
13th Teddy back in Germany.
15th Advert Lincoln-Zephyr to Newcastle Journal and Chronicle.
Trial of Joyce “Lord Haw-Haw” condemned to be hanged for High Treason.
Sunday 16th September 1945
Windy. Bright intervals.
Mary did some scything and clipping. Roast beef, peas, trifle. Made tomato sandwiches. Rests. Mrs Bill Blain with D. Brown to Northumberland. Harry Brown to tea. Asked Mary Hare to drive to Grantham with him. Talk about Roman stone to Sylvanus. Thracian officer. Omelettes and toast and biscuits and cheese. To bed 10.
Monday 17th September 1945
Fine, mild, windy.
At 10.15 Harry Brown called for Mary Hare. She away. Helped clear out things from lathe-room for Phil. Phoned Ella about visits. Ham and corned beef. Trifle. Rests. Wrote Ella about pad and envelopes present. Lettercard to Eva with James’ 15/- certificate. After tea, all 3 of us in Phil’s car to Bowes Museum. Mr Harrison, curator, showed us railway exhibits (York) and El Greco and Eve’s, Cotman, Stone-age. Very interesting. Tinned herrings supper. To bed 9.35.
Tuesday 18th September 1945
Dark. Thunder showers. Warm.
I got up 7.15. Breakfast 8.10. Alys and Phil in Phil’s car to Darlington, to have windscreen done and white paint off wings. I washed clothes. Eggs, tinned herring and apples. Short rest. To Holt, Barnes, Blain’s (stayed for rain), Dobinson’s. Packed Mink’s things. Wrote Lois; and postcard to Poz and Doz. Alys and Phil back 7. Kippers. Phil doing lathe. All to bed 9.45.
Wednesday 19th September 1945
Fair. Some sun, drizzle.
Breakfast late. Did up Mink’s books in V.O.M. box. Picked blackberries and stewed with apples. Alys made French pancakes. Cold meat and ham and mashed turnips. Cleared hay. Blain cut lawn with Nancy. Phil in hut. Men came about Lincoln-Zephyr £600 offer (a £ note man!) Also Meynell’s son brought man at 8.15, offered £120 for Dennis’ Ford 8 EYT. Bacon and eggs and kipper on toast, truffles (Alys made).
Trial of Belsen guards, Kramer.
Meeting of Allied Foreign Ministers in London
Thursday 20th September 1945
Sun and heavy showers. Cool. Thunder.
Alys and I to Barnard Castle in my car. Got Phil two weeks Emergency Rations (9th and 10th). Got chocolate and peppermints and fish. Pigs on street. Alys cooked plaice (fried in deep fat in pie-dish), potatoes and cabbage. Blackberries and apple and batter and jam. Did up Mink’s books (finished). Did up 6 eggs for Eva and posted (after rest). Phil at lathe and in top-room. Alys ironed. Tea in housekeeper’s room. Minestrone soup (Alys made with Viteem and vegs, lovely) and ham.
Friday 21st September 1945
Cool, fair, windy.
Stained “nursery” with walnut stain (over mahogany, too red) and new part too. Mince with rice, cabbage, gravy. Apples and blackberries. Addressed Hazel Goldrich’s parcel to Hurst, Berks. Finished staining. Rest. Alys down for Hunter. Phil in hut. Blain doing electricity in arcade. Tea. Scythed edge of lawn. Phil too. Washed stain-brush in acetone. Ham toasts, soup first.
Saturday 22nd September 1945
Cold, windy, sunny, tiny showers.
Made ginger biscuits. Peat pies and corned beef lunch and redcurrants and raspberries (Camden). Rests. Alys made scones. I wrote Kitty. John Heigham to tea. Scythed grass and Phil too. Alys and Phil to East Layton for letters. One from Alonzo Hunter, San Diego. Stuffed tomatoes. “The Forest”, Galsworthy. Phil at lathe all evening till 10.45.
Memo:
Dennis died September 17th ’44. “Arnhem Day”.
22nd Blain’s wages
19th, 20th, 21st Poz and Doz move to Sands Meadow.
19th Wrote Ella wouldn’t for 24th but in October.
Meeting of Foreign Ministers – almost deadlock on Balkans.
Sunday 23rd September 1945
Fine, sunny, cold, windy.
Put 3 stone of Bramleys in drawers. Alys roasted beef, cauliflower. Bruxelles chocolate. Wrote Ella about offer of 1st class, extra. Phil wrote 8 letters. Alys wrote Eva. Posted then rested. After tea scythed and Phil clipped yew by gate. He in hut. Scrambled eggs with ham in (7 eggs) and lovely soup first. “Lorna Doone” at 8. Gun running to Norway. Submarine.
Monday 24th September 1945
Cold, some sun. North wind. Cozy at 4.
Did up oatmeal box. Discussed my furniture at 77. Cold beef and chutney. Bruxelles and apples. Rests. Mr Smith about Lincoln-Zephyr. Took oatmeal to post. Mrs Crisp there. Weeded on rock garden. Alys and Phil to East Layton. Phone pole down. Sardines and pilchards (soup). Phil cold – at lathe till 9.30.
Tuesday 25th September 1945
Cold, dull, warm later.
Up 7.20 breakfast. 8.15 Phil and I in his car to Darlington (Sutton’s). Left car. I to Binns and had hair cut. Miss Snow 1/6. Got fish, soles, marrow, celery, dog biscuit. The Specialist “Cooking for tomorrow”. Mushrooms. Met Phil 1 o’clock. Home by 1.30. Cold meat, potatoes. Alys had phone call, Mrs Gordon re Lincoln-Zephyr. Also Taylor from Wark (Chipchase Castle) offered £800. Rests. To Holt, Dimmock, Barnes (crisps), Dobinson, O’Brien. Phil trying to put phone to Blain’s house. Turbot. Brains Trust. Atomic Bomb.
Wednesday 26th September 1945
Cold, dull, warmer later.
Phil worried about “refusal at £800”. I picked blackberries. Taylor of Wark came about 12. Phil took him out in Lincoln-Zephyr and he bought it for £800. Fish pie, blackberries and apples. Alys and Phil to Forcett to fetch grinder. Phil opened it and wrote letters. I wrote Binns for soles left behind. Made mousse of raspberries and redcurrants. Short rest. Phil working at phone to stables. I weeded path. Bacon and tomatoes; mousse. Fitting up grinder. Scenes from “Blythe Spirit”. Posted Lincoln-Zephyr book to Taylor.
Thursday 27th September 1945
Fine on whole duller.
We sent off Mink’s things by passenger train. Alys and I to Richmond in my car. Got beer and gin. Took Nancy Blain back. Phil fixed new grinder in larder. Finnan haddocks and new brown loaf, cheese. Mrs Peacock did kitchen and sitting-room. Rests. I up 3.50 and got tea. Alys had only 40 minutes rest as to gardens. She made tomato ketchup (and for Bill Blain’s). To warehouse with Phil. Arnold back on his first leave from Navy. I weeded path. Fish pie, spaghetti, salad. Fruit jelly. Detectives Quiz 9.30.
Friday 28th September 1945
Fine.
Laundry. Phil’s 32nd birthday. Alys and James to Barnard Castle for rations and paraffin. Phil to Richmond to see Mr Brook about £800 cheque from Josephine Taylor. Tinned stew and beans, cheese and biscuits. Wrote Hazel Goldrich, The Times (cancelling advert). Sent cheque Gordon Cleaning 8/10. Alys made cakes after tea. Short rests. Weeded rock garden. Phil clipped big lonicera hedge. Eggs and bacon and tomato and choc moka mousse. Forces Quiz, Merry Go Round.
Saturday 29th September 1945
Lovely day.
Packed up eggs for taking to Eva’s. Alys and I made stew. Baden killed young cockeral to be taken. Phil to Watson’s for petrol. Stew and cheese. Made mousse shape of blackberries and apples with Nestlé’s Milk and Delco and white of egg. Phil rested on path in sun. After tea, I weeded rock garden. Alys gathering foods to take to Eva’s. Phil very pleased with self rotatory? on lathe; reversible.
Memo:
Kim bad paw 29th
Mr Harrison curator of Bowes Museum died 25th
Reading “Musk-Ox” by Leskov.
28th Phil’s 32nd birthday. Kitty moves to Frognal this week.
26th New batteries in radio sets.
30th Alys and Phil south.
Foreign Ministers’ Meeting ends. Failure to reach agreement.
Bad railway accident Bourne End: 29 taken to Ashridge.
Sunday 30th September 1945
Dullish, mild.
Up 7.20. Breakfast 8.30. Alys and Phil off in Phil’s car (CUC) at 10.15. Washed and cleared up. Vegetable marrow and stewed beefsteak. At 12.45 Hugh Taylor and brother to fetch Lincoln-Zephyr. Dyed hair band. Made “Applecake”. Rest on sofa. Kimbo both paws bad. To Blain’s about Arnold. In garden a little weeding. Soup, 2 peat pies and 2 raw tomatoes. Applecake. Unpicked and listened “Escape from Buchenwald”.
Monday 1st October 1945
Fine. Warm.
To Richmond at 10.50 taking Arnold (to Skegness). Got bee sugar permit. Minced beef and tomatoes (Tante’s way). Applecake. Wrote to H. H. Brown, and lettercard to Alys. Mrs Peacock did Alys room. I to Hodgson, Gell, Pringle for rents. In garden, freeing wire. “Mock whitebait” and barley flakes milk pudding. Sewed black dress. Hippolytus and Euripides (Phaedra).
Tuesday 2nd October 1945
Fine. Mild.
Made “plattercake” but didn’t rise. Stew and potatoes and applecake with white of egg (apple snow). Short rest on sofa. To Barnes (took 2lb honey). Dimmock, Holt, Dobinson, O’Brien; to garden to see Mrs O’Brien about certificate missing. Miss Peacock in garden I did some getting up wire. Miss Peacock paid for laundry. Made cheese mixture in Peat pies, scones. Sewed black dress; Brains Trust, Lionel Hale.
Wednesday 3rd October 1945
Very find and warm.
Cooked Mrs Barnes’ ginger biscuits and some yeast rolls. Stew of Peat pie insides and vegetable marrow. Milk gravy. Rest on sofa. Blackstone engineer came. Did a lot of scything on path to rock-garden till 6.35. Listened 2 short plays – very good. “A Wife for Uncle Roger” and “Frenzy” in p.m. “Lady from Edinburgh” at 9.30. Alys phoned at 8. Sewed frill in black frock. Corned beef and bacon sausage. Stewed plus and barley milk pudding.
Thursday 4th October 1945
Fine and warm.
Found passport. Various jobs. Washed cheese-holder. Baked apples. Had hash and vegetable marrow and coleslaw. Made salad-dressing with cream. Mrs Peacock cleaned sitting room and kitchen and shelf in cupboard. Did a little scything on rock-garden. Got watercress. Mended towel during “Send for Temple. ITMA”. Cheese and pastry and scones “soufflés”, plums. Made “Swedish Loaf” after 9.30 of corned beef, lettuce, cheese, bacon sausage, brown and white bread.
Friday 5th October 1945
Fine and warm. Cotton frock.
Dusted Alys and Phil’s rooms. Hot bottles. Richmond at 11. Got herrings. Back. Cleaned and soused them. Corned beef and barley milk pudding, baked apple. Gold paint on fireplace. Made Bruxelles chocolate. Hunter brought 70lb sugar for bees. At 6.30 Alys and Phil arrived in his car (from Northwood). Phil told me all he had done; car steering, hospital jobs. Soused herrings and to bed 9 – 9.30.
Saturday 6th October 1945
Very lovely day. Cotton frock.
Began filling in Passport and permit papers. To garden. Tomato salad with corned beef (Phil) and Peat pies (Alys and I). Bruxelles chocolate. Wrote lettercard Ella saying could come October 12th for week. Took Phil’s lamb gloves to register at Ravensworth Post Office (to Huntly). Rest. Tea. Phil had rests on path in sun and hut p.m. Scythed rock garden mound. Sewed leather patch on Phil’s coat. Scrambled eggs with kidney; soused mackerel. Phil at lathe till 9.30.
Memo:
Clocks one hour back.
30th Hugh Taylor comes for Lincoln-Zephyr.
1st Rents.
6th Blain’s wages.
2nd James to school.
6th Back to Greenwich time
30th Alys and Phil to Eva’s (Northwood)
3rd Phil’s refill, Smart.
Strikes everywhere U.S. and here.
Pierre Laval condemned to death after farcical trial.
Summer Time ended.
Sunday 7th October 1945
Cool. Fine. Cold in evening.
Alys doing neck of mutton “braised” in casserole and roast 3 bones for dinner. French beans. Chocolate (Bruxelles). Rests. On garden in sun first. Wrote Lois. Tea. Tried to tidy up rock-garden bed of brambles, strawberry, grass. Soup and tongue (Alys cooked and pressed it). Lorna Doone. Max Beerbohm on “Play Going”. Grein, Archer. Phil had headache – at lathe all day.
Monday 8th October 1945
Perfect day.
Got malt and cod liver oil into one bottle from 11 dregs. Cut grass a little Alys made apple flan. Casserole, mutton chops. Mrs Peacock did halls and stairs, lavatory. Phil and Blain doing Dennis’ Ford 8. Gasket broke. Rest. Darned socks. Phil at lathe. Tongue and baked onions in gravy. Very good. Phil at lathe till 9.40.
Tuesday 9th October 1945
Dullish. Fairish. Mildish. Cozy.
Alys and I to Richmond in my car. Got Emergency Rations (2 weeks) and had my request for permit to go abroad stamped by Food Office. Had passport photos taken by Davey. Took curtains to Smith’s. Back and Alys fried filleted plaice in deep fat. Phil wrote applying for House-Physician post to Dr Hamilton, Charing Cross Hospital. Holt, Dimmock, Barnes, Dobinson, O’Brien. Tea. Alys and Phil to East Layton. Tongue and macaroni. Tomatoes and cheese. Brains Trust very good. Joad. Phil to bed 8.15.
Wednesday 10th October 1945
Showers and bright intervals. Cozy.
All of us to Barnard Castle in my car. Phil stopped to ask about hiring motor-cutter. Rations and fish. Lunch at Morritt at 12.45. Good. Home 2 or so. Phil wrote letters to Captain Gordon, Dr Warner about posts. Rest till 5. Not down for tea. Bickies for dogs, then indoors. Alys made meat pie of tongue minced and soup. Darned and mended bag handles. Phil at lathe. Voice nearly lost.
Thursday 11th October 1945
Mild, very dull.
Packed up. Wrote Aunt Bella. Long rest in p.m. Voice poor still. Mrs Peacock did sitting-room. Tea in kitchen. I did laundry (for 12th). At 5 we all in car to Zetland Cine, and saw “The Way to the Stars”. Very sad. Home 8.30. Poached eggs. Made sandwiches. To bed 9.45.
Edinburgh
Friday 12th October 1945
Fine.
Breakfast 8.30. Alys cold. All in car at 9.30 to Darlington. 10.15 to Edinburgh (3rd with 1st ticket!) Maggie met me 1.55. Taxi 2/3 to 17 Warriston Crescent. Ella looking poorly. Slept on bed (still feeling rotten, voice very low). Tea 3.45. Supper 7.30. Fried fish and potato cake. Apple, apricot, custard and chocolate bottom cake. “I Worked with Maquis”. Bed. 9.
Saturday 13th October 1945
Fine.
Tea and toast in bed 8.15. Stayed there till 1 dinner. Tripe, apple and blackberry tart. Rest. Tea 4. Mrs Phyllis Douglas (née Proctor) in (B.B.C sketch). Began knitting gloves for sailors on 2 needles. Fried rasher bacon. Cheese.
Memo:
1st return Edinburgh £1.10.7or £2?
13th Points Period ends.
12th To Ella, St Johns.
9th Phil’s application for post House-Physician to Dr Hamilton Charing Cross Hospital.
11th Wrote Aunt Bella.
14th Train 11.15 arrive Darlington 3.
Dock strikes. Troops unload food ships.
Sunday 14th October 1945
Very fine.
Taking aspirin. Tea, oatcake in bed. Up, out for little turn in sun. Ella too. Boiled neck mutton, sauce, stewed celery (sauce), Yorkshire puddings (tiny). Rest. Tea, Maggie out with Kemp children. Mrs Griffiths in to tea (Vincent relative). Spam. Blackberry and apple in glasses.
Monday 15th October 1945
Very fine. Mild.
Breakfast in bed, but Ella up. Got up 9.30. Mended Ella’s bed jacket. Out to Post Office, got lettercards. Ella to shops. Cold mutton (very good), salad, raw carrots, minced cold pie in slices. Sorted wools after tea. Stuffed tomatoes, Spam, pressed beef. “Mr ? 9 Lives” till 10.
Tuesday 16th October 1945
Very fine.
Breakfast in bed (Ella too, nausea). Up at 10. Out with Ella to post lettercard. Out to buy aspirin alone. Barley broth, cold meat, lettuce. Fruit compote. Fried haddock, apple and prune. Brains Trust.
Wednesday 17th October 1945
Foggy.
Breakfast in bed. Ella up. I made my bed. Neither out all day. Fried haddock and potatoes. 2 matinees (good) at 4.15. B.B.C. Bacon rasher, ginger snap. George and Winnie Waterston in evening. Tea. Very interesting “George Stout of Fair Isle”.
Dock strikes continue.
Thursday 18th October 1945
Foggy.
Breakfast in bed. Not out, either of us. Went upstairs for change of air. Stewed mutton cutlets with vegetables, Eve pudding. Louie Bell and Mary Miller to tea in dining room. Maggie out. Fried fish. “Paul Temple”.
Friday 19th October 1945
Fine.
Breakfast in bed with Ella to local shops. Corned beef and salad. Cake pudding, jam sauce. Alys rang up after tea. Zeus had been ill and vet came. Phil went south on Sunday last, and she alone!!! Sad about Zeus all evening. Sardines.
Saturday 20th October 1945
Damp. Mild.
Got up to breakfast. Not out. Alys rang up 10.30. Zeus better. Ella to see Mary Bell (ill). Maggie registered my parcel for Layton. Ella 99℉ and rigors in p.m. So to bed. I in once or twice. She 100℉ at 5. Took aspirin and codeine. I had cheese omelette (good). Finished gloves and sewed them both up. Music Hall and News. Maggie listening with me. To bed 9.20.
Memo:
Margaret Hindhaugh (gave “Good Potato Dishes” to M instead of tip 3/6).
15th Phil drove to Eva’s.
Sunday 21st October 1945
Foggy and very dark. Mild.
Ella 97℉ and cheerful. I breakfast in bed 8.30. In to Ella – her 80th birthday. Taxi 10.40. Train 11.15. Flying Scotsman. 1st class (extra by Ella). Sandwiches (3 lunches served – booked ahead). Darlington 3.20 (20 minutes late). Great crowd and Newcastle and Darlington. Alys met and in car to Layton. Dogs well. Cauliflower au gratin, stewed pears. Scones at 4.45. Lettercard to Ella from station.
Monday 22nd October 1945
Showers, getting colder.
Stayed in bed all day – read and slept. Didn’t eat. Vecon at 6.30. No symptoms, but nice to lie quietly. Cough better. Very dry mouth.
Tuesday 23rd October 1945
Showers and bright intervals.
In bed all day. Didn’t eat. Water and Vecon. Alys to Darlington in a.m. and brought back my radio, put in my bedroom. Wrote Ella.
Wednesday 24th October 1945
Showers, gale, bright intervals.
In bed all day. Bread and milk at 9.15. Alys phoned Woodsend. Fillet fish with lemon juice, very nice. Toast and butter. Slept in p.m. Dr Woodsend at 4. Said bronchial (base of lungs, back). Temp 98.6℉ at 4. Bouillon and baked apple and cream.
Dockers’ strikes continue.
Thursday 25th October 1945
Rain and sun.
Alys put Pye in my room. Alys to Richmond for fish. Knitted cuffs to Shetland coat. Read “House of Four Winds” Buchan. Delicious fillets in milk. Slept 2 – 4 ours. “My Father had a Way with Vermin” 4.15. Trudy Bliss. Pye faded out. 99.4℉ at 4.15. Bouillon, Ryvita. Stewed apple. Alys fitted new battery for Pye. Not much cough.
Friday 26th October 1945
Rain and bright intervals.
Letter from Aunt Bella. Porridge and cream. Did all Yorkshire Post crossword in a.m. Fillets in milk and Ryvita. Stewed pears and custard. Slept over an hour. Phil phoned – coming tomorrow. Alys in and talked. Phil to have some kind of post at Ashridge till January. “Here’s Wishing You Well Again” 5.30. Milk soup, very good. Baked apple, sponge cake at 4. 99℉.
Saturday 27th October 1945
Cold. Fine on whole.
Porridge. Changed into clean night gown. Meat, gravy, Brussels sprouts, toast. Stewed apples and custard. Slept a bit. Dr Woodsend at 3.30. My temperature 98℉. He brought expectorant. Phil back at 6.30 (from Northwood in his car). Milk soup, baked ham. Read “The Embassy Train” Ignace Legrand.
Memo:
Reading “House of the Four Winds”. Buchan.
I in bed all week.
In bed all week.
Sunday 28th October 1945
Rainy, not dull,very cold.
Porridge and cream at 9.20. Phil took my tray. He sat and told me about posts at Ashridge, Putney. Hot mutton, gravy and sprouts. Chocolate (Bruxelles). Slept over 1 hour. Play “The Swallows” (convict vicar). Geoff Wynn on Holland. 98.9℉ 4 p.m. Phil in with testimonials. Bouillon, ham, apples, sponge cake. “Lorna Doone”. Phil to bed 8.15.
Monday 29th October 1945
Foggy, Rainy. Very damp.
Phil and Blain in 2 cars to Darlington, leaving Phil’s at Ford’s. Took my radio to shop. Hot mutton, cabbage, chocolate, raw apple. Slept. 98.4℉ at 4. Broke thermometer! John and Kenneth Clark to tea, and trees. Phil more coughing. Milk soup, fried fish. Phil to bed at 8. Crocheted cuffs. Chekhov’s “Seagull”.
Tuesday 30th October 1945
Fine.
Phil in bed all day – cough, bronchial and diarrhoea. Alys to Barnard Castle for rations. Cold meat, fried potatoes, cabbage. Queen of puddings. Slept. New battery in Pye. Alys brought “I, Said the Fly”, Elizabeth Ferrars and new clinical thermometer 3/4. 98.8℉ at 4. Gingerbread. “The Confidence Men” 7.10. Kedgeree, (soup 1st), apples, sponge cake. Brains Trust (Inman).
Wednesday 31st October 1945
Fine.
Alys to Darlington in my car, with Blain, to fetch Phil’s car from Ford’s. Phil in bed all day. Hot meat and gravy and cabbage and mashed potatoes. Prunes. Wrote letter to Ella; lettercard to Doz, Kitty and Lois. Alys phoned Dr Woodsend; said he’d come Saturday. Play 4.15 “A Vision of Judgement” from story by Wells (Last Trump) and “In the Rukh”, a Mowgli play. Ham, salad, Queen of Puddings. Phil took sulphadiazine as still coughing.
Big Socialist gains in County Council Elections.
Thursday 1st November 1945
Fine.
Began knitting gloves (Eve?) 2 needles and coloured wools. Phil in bed all day. Pear. Finished “I, said the Fly”. Corned beef in lovely gravy; sprouts, potatoes. Trifle. Pye battery out. Alys brought in my radio with aerial. Slept. 98.9℉ at 4. “Paul Temple”, end one. White fish with sauce and toast. Prunes sponge cake. “Golden Dragon City” Lord Dunsany. Rather rot.
Friday 2nd November 1945
Dull, dark, mild.
Phil in bed all day (sulphodia still) but better. Knitted gloves. Hot ham, gravy, sprouts, potatoes. Trifle. Slept in p.m. 98.6℉ at 4. Knitted again. Crossword. Radio on the Dales, saying Michael Faraday born within 8 miles Kettlewell.
Saturday 3rd November 1945
Dull, Darkish.
Phil in bed all day. Gave Alys £6 towards pig (£16). Grilled steak and tomatoes, stewed lettuce. Baked apple and cream. Slept till 3.20. “The Case of Leo Ferretti” play. Dr Woodsend said he’d come, but didn’t. Did gloves. 98.7℉ at 4. Ham toast, prunes. “The Unguarded Hour” good play.
Memo:
Apply for Petrol Ration.
1st Pickin rent due.
Sent 4th till December 27th
29th Rents
Blain’s wages
Read “The Honeysuckle and the Bee” Sir John Squire.
Walk to Devon Blundell’s from London.
In bed all week. Phil in bed 5 days.
Molotov spoke on Red Army Day (not Stalin).
In bed all week.
Sunday 4th November 1945
Dullish, mild.
Phil got up and down to dinner. I wrote Pickin with rent. Hot beef, sprouts, roast potatoes. Cold baked apple. Slept. 98.7℉ at 4. Knitted glove gauntlet. Phil to bed at 9? Lorna Doone – very bad on my radio.
Monday 5th November 1945
Dull, mild.
Woke at 7 and coughed a good bit. Phil down to breakfast in dressing gown. Dozed a bit. Read paper and “Murder at Rockwater”. Margot Neville. Braised onion and gravy, sprouts, potatoes. Semolina and apples. Slept. 98.7℉ at 4. Knitted. Fried egg and bacon. Pears. Alys rang up Woodsend who had acute appendicitis.
Tuesday 6th November 1945
Dull, mild.
Felt better, didn’t cough much. Dr Davidson (locum for Dr Woodsend) came at 12. Sounded me, said all clear. Shepherds pie, cabbage, apples. Slept. 98.7℉ at4. Knitted. Dried haddock and toast, pears. Blain took Phil’s car to Darlington for sidescreen in a.m and my radio. Brains Trust – Elton, Huxley, Campbell.
Wednesday 7th November 1945
Fair.
Alys and Phil to Barnard Castle for rations. Listened “Count Hannibal”. Cod steak (savoury with onion and tomato), apples. Slept. Began “Hag’s Nook” Dickson Carr. 98.9℉ at 4. Phil arranged Zeus sleeping place in old kitchen with night lights. Soup, tongue, tomato. X-rays 50 years ago (discovery). Radio. Churchill in House of Commons on Truman’s speech and Atomic Bomb.
Mr Attlee flies to U.S.A. for Atomic Discussions.
Thursday 8th November 1945
Sunny, lovely.
Alys and Phil to Richmond. Phil’s hair cut. I filled in petrol renewal paper. Kippers and brown bread, apples. Slept. 98.7℉ at 4. Miss Peacock. Rissole (very good), toast, chocolate mousse. Victoria sandwich from Mrs Barnes. Couldn’t sleep till 4 a.m. – only dozes.
Friday 9th November 1945
Colder, fairish.
Wrote Doz. Man mended mats. Laundry. “Count Hannibal”. Hot roast chicken, cabbage, bread sauce. Baked apple. Watson to do Phil’s brakes. Slept in p.m. 98.6℉ at 4. Tried Alys’ thermometers. Wrote Aunt Bella. Macaroni cheese. Gooseberries, Victoria sandwich.
Saturday 10th November 1945
Fair, coldish.
Asthma at daybreak. Read paper and slept a bit. Cold chicken and salad. Chocolate Queen of puddings. Slept till 3.15. Play “Hearing is Believing”. Sewed and crocheted up glove. Watson for brakes again. Phil in and talked at 7. 98.6℉ at 4, 99℉ at 5, 98.6℉ at 6. Chicken and ham mince, cabbage. Gooseberries and Victoria sandwich. “Dangerous Corner” Priestley.
Memo:
Points end 10th
9th Wrote Aunt Bella
9th Wrote Doz.
In bed all week.
Attlee addressed Congress.
Sunday 11th November 1945
Dull, cool.
(Blocked nose). Phil in; then he away in his car at 10.30 (Sleep at Buckden). 98.8℉ I dozed and read papers. Alys did mince and sprouts and baked apple. Atlantic Quiz 1.45. Slept Leslie French in “Poet, Take Thy Lute” Le Gallienne. Rot. Read Count Hannibal. Chicken and ham mousse, gooseberries. Eva phoned. Alys in for News. Griller sandwich. Priestly talk on tour and Germany, Russia .
Monday 12th November 1945
Fair a.m. Dull p.m. Cool.
Blocked nose and all day. Paper and crossword (Sunday Times). Curry and cauliflower, chocolate Queen of Puddings. Slept. Temperature Normal at 4. ALys phoned Eva. Phil there, a chill, but all right. James very good about back to school after ½ term. Chicken soup, gooseberry fool. Victoria sandwich. “Spanish Gold” Birmingham. Stokes on. Alys sat in my room.
Tuesday 13th November 1945
Fair. Cool.
Alys to Richmond for fish. I wrote Kitty. Stove boiling. Had to be let out. Nice white fish and sauce and potato. Cheese and biscuits. Slept. Dreamt. 98.8℉ at 4. Normal at 5. Milk soup and toast, apple sauce. Brains Trust. Blocked nose still.
Wednesday 14th November 1945
Dullish. Cool.
Read and did crossword. Wrote to Claims Officer. Alys phoned Eva and Dr Davidson and stove people re packing. Kippers and toast. Apple sauce and juice. Slept. 98.6℉ at 4. Went down in dressing gown to nursery at 5.30. Cozy stove supper – leek soup. Baked apple. Zeus came in. Phil phoned. Read Elsa’s letter to Alys. Up to bed 9.
Statement on Atomic by Truman, Attlee and Mackenzie King.
Thursday 15th November 1945
Perfect day. Fog in evening.
Blocked nose. Came down to nursery at 11.15. Crossword and Chippinge. Mince and cabbage and potato. Baked custard, perfect. Slept. Very dry mouth. 98.8℉ at 4. Leek soup, fish pie, toast. Alys posted parcel to Phil. “Monte Cristo” began 8. Up to bedroom at 9.30.
Friday 16th November 1945
Foggy. Colder.
Nose very blocked all day. Came down to nursery 10.30. Did crossword (finished it today, 1st time). Fried egg and bacon. Baked custard and apple. Slept. Waked feeling feverish. Phil phoned that he is to be House Physician to Gordon Holmes and Warner at Charing Cross Hospital on December 4th. Welsh rarebit, chocolate mousse. Talk about Czecho-Slovakia. Up to bed 9.25. Not asleep till 1 a.m.
Saturday 17th November 1945
Dullish, rather less cold.
Downstairs at 10.30. Mrs Peacock came in a.m. and cleaned Phil’s room. Wrote Elsa. Peat pie, cabbage, gravy, potatoes. Slept. 98.6℉ at 4. Read “The Hand of Power”. Edgar Wallace. Leek soup, sardines and toast (asthmatic). “Quality Street” till 10.45. Upstairs after.
Memo:
15th Phil began work at Ashridge as Doctor.
12th Finished “Count Hannibal” began Weyman “Chippinge”.
13th Wrote Kitty
17th Blain’s wages.
17th Wrote Elsa. Alys wrote Ella.
13th Boiler stove let out.
Belsen Trial sentences 17th Lüneburg.
20th Göring, Ribbentrop, Streicher – War Criminals Trial began. Nürnberg.
Sunday 18th November 1945
Fairish. Mild.
Blocked nose. (Eno’s). Down to nursery at 11. Sat in chair by fire all a.m. Boiled mutton and caper sauce!!! Sprouts. Cheese and biscuits. Alys rang up Eva. Teddy back about houses. Listened “This Way to the Tomb” at 3 and “The Death of Bill Sykes” 4. 98.8℉ at 4. Red Rice, apple. “Lorna Doone”. Up to bed 9.45. Underground traitor story “Pierre and Murder”. Nursery fire all night.
Monday 19th November 1945
Fair, mildish.
Got downstairs at 10.15 and dressed at 12.45. Sat up for dinner – cold mutton with salad and potato in jacket. Steamed pudding with treacle. Slept on day-bed. Below normal (98℉) at 4; normal at 6. Alys’ ear bothering her again. “Englishman Abroad” Campbell, Stephane, Bullock. Boxing – Jackie Paterson/Medino. A good night though nose still very blocked.
Tuesday 20th November 1945
Dull, mild.
In nursery at 10.50. Wrote Phil. Clothes on. Hot mutton, sprouts, baked potato, baked apples. Reading “The Undiscovered Country” Stephen McKenna. Slept in p.m. Below normal (98.2℉) Soup, pilchards, prunes. Alys phoned Dr Davidson about our ears and wax. Up to bed at 9.30.
Wednesday 21st November 1945
Very mild. Grey.
Cozy stove alight all night. Down at 10.10 and dressed. Mended nightgown. Hot mince, cabbage, potatoes. Slept. 98.2℉ at 4 (3rd day below normal). “The Suicides in the rue Sombre” by Leonard Merrick. “Burst Pipes”. Alys listened in too. Fried egg and bacon. Prunes. Vernon Bartlett.
Thursday 22nd November 1945
Dullish, slight mist at times.
Blain to Richmond. Fetched Blackstone package, fish. I in nursery at 9.15 for porridge and coffee, toast and marmalade. Dr Davidson came and syringed Alys’ and my ears (right only). LN.E.R. brought one crate but no carboy (from Newcastle). Cod, apple sauce, semolina. Wrote letter to Blackstone about missing nozzle. Not very good night. (Andrews Liver Salts).
Friday 23rd November 1945
Misty, some rain, cooler.
Down to porridge at 9.10. Blains both in car to Richmond station to fetch carboy; they began job on boiler and stove (de-furring). Fish pie, apple sauce, semolina. Very blocked. Slept. Alys phoned Phil (transfusions on soldiers) Blains working on stove all p.m.
Saturday 24th November 1945
Dull, damp, raw.
Down at 9.10. Porridge. Alys to Barnard Castle for rations. I walked about in rooms. Got books, work. Peat pie. Baked apple. Blains working at stove till 3, but it needed white lead, so not able to be lit yet. Sleep and dreams about stove. Miss Peacock brought a cake for Alys. Kedgeree, toast, marmalade. We read letters – Mother to Ella. “Permanent Way” play. Monckton Hoffe.
Memo:
Zeus’ 10th birthday this month.
20th Wrote Phil.
23rd Alys fell down from “swimmy head”, vertigo.
Nazi Criminals Trial continues.
Sunday 25th November 1945
Dullish. Wind got up in evening.
Got up. Down to porridge in nursery. Alys did hot beef (undercut) and tinned peas. I got dogs’ dinners. Apple sauce and custard. 3 “The Happy Journey to Camden and Trenton”. Thornton Wilder. Slept. “Dr Jekyll”. Alys read Mother’s letters to Ella. I did boiled eggs, toast. Alys told me she fell on floor in kitchen (vertigo) Friday evening. “Lorna Doone”. To bed 9.30. Worried about Alys.
Monday 26th November 1945
Clear, sunny.
Down to porridge, didn’t feel very well. Painy and shivery (aloin?) Did rent additions for Clark. Hot beef, cabbage, gravy. Custard and apple snow. Alys had fire in big Cozy stove. Clark and Riddell came and had tea with her. She made scones (and 2 cakes from Mrs Barnes). Slept and darned stockings. Bread and milk and Victoria sandwich. “Hedda Gabler” till 10.25. Couper.
Tuesday 27th November 1945
Lovely sunny day.
(Andrews). Down to porridge. Wrote Blackstone to come and do electricity engine. Wrote Petroleum Board with unsigned cheque. Postcard to Doz. Corned beef and sprouts and gravy. Apple snow and custard. Slept. Darned stockings. Boiler is burst. Eva phoned at 5.55 about Blain to blacksmith about it. Bread and milk, raw apple. Sponge cake and cream. I out in garden after lunch in sun.
Wednesday 28th November 1945
Perfect day.
Down to porridge in nursery. Alys had lettercard from Phil. Sunny on wall. In garden, all a.m. Walked about; gathered sticks. Brushed both dogs on steps. Hot stew, sprouts, potatoes. Baked apple and custard. In garden again till 2.45 (Alys came out too for 20 minutes). Baden and Blacksmith got stove crack welded. Rest. 2 Matinees. Alys phoned Eva. Macaroni cheese.
Thursday 29th November 1945
Down to porridge. Up and got my room ready for Mrs Peacock who cleaned it in p.m. Out on seat in garden for about 40 minutes. Had mince, sprouts, potatoes in kitchen with Alys (1st time in months). Eva rang up about Phil. I made apple sauce and had with sponge cake. Did up tea for Nora Ireland. Blain in car to blacksmith (Wilson). Stove crack still further!!! Macaroni cheese. D.H. Lawrence play “The Rocking Horse Winner”. Mary Hinton (mother), Dorothy English (boy).
Friday 30th November 1945
Perfect. Mild.
Alys to Richmond for fish and got me diary. Blain fetched blacksmith and Atkinson. I in garden on seat and wrote to Ella there. Posted it. Fried fillets, crisps (Smith’s), apples and cake. In garden again 1.30 – 2.35. Alys to Barnes’ with raisins, and sugar. Slept. “Monte Cristo” at 4. Alys phoned Phil to tell about letter appointment from Charing Cross Hospital. Hot bacon and tomatoes, raw apple. “Armchair Detective”.
Saturday 1st December 1945
Grey, misty, raw.
Wrote Richmond Station about lost nozzle. Alys phoned Clark (Kenneth) about boiler. Peat pies, sprouts, potato. Apple sauce. Appointment with Fear “The Case”. Slept in p.m. Miss Peacock called 6.35 – 7.15. Leek soup. Melted cheese under griller (toaster out of order). “I Lived With You” Ivor Novello play.
Memo:
26th Rents
30th Wrote Ella
26th John Clark for Estate rents.
30th Railway Co. re nozzle.
27th Postcard to Doz. Blackstone and Petrol Board.
28th Stove welded.
29th Welded again.
Sunday 2nd December 1945
Fair. A little sun midday. Mild.
Old Mrs Blain fainted. Baden to Craddock’s Bruno. Alys washed downstairs. I out in garden about 30 minutes. Alys did boiled mutton and caper sauce, and apple tart. In garden again after dinner. Raked leaves. Slept. Soup. Cold corned beef and toast. End of Lorna Doone. Talk by Francesca Wilson on Displaced Persons (UNRRA United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration) camp.
Monday 3rd December 1945
Fair, some sun. Some clouds.
Down to porridge. Made candy for bees. Alys roasted mutton, cabbage, potatoes. In garden and transplanted 2 mauve primroses. Slept. Alys to Brown’s returning books. Made vegetable water soup on electric grill. Alys baked onions and sauce. Play by Anthony Ireland on Byron “Death of a Poet”.
Tuesday 4th December 1945
Cold, some fog. Damp in p.m.
Alys to Darlington, for car rings (EYT), taking Mrs Bill Blain. I had to air my bed with bottles as leak in night. Cold meat, roast potatoes, cabbage. Jam tart. Alys phoned about bell for telephone. Fuel oil for engine came. I rested on bed. Wrote Blackstone engineer could come. Soup and kippers (grilled). Brains Trust.
Wednesday 5th December 1945
Sunny. Cold wind.
Baden in bed with cold. Letter from Ella. I in garden in sun. Transplated 2 more primroses. Alys sat with me on seat. Meat rissoles, lovely. Baked apple. In garden again till 2. Slept. Alys brought in scones and her coffee. Cynthia Asquith’s story-play 4.15. “The Corner Curio Shop”. Kippers grilled. “Private Lives” 9.30.
Vote of Censure on Government 381 against, 197 for.
U.S. Loan settled £1,100,000,000. 2% interest after 1950 for 50 years.
Thursday 6th December 1945
Fair a.m. but some grey. Night frost.
Still porridge. Alys and I to Richmond in car for fish. To Bank. Blain better and up. Baked fillets place; ate in nursery. Baked apple. Slept. Nancy brought battery and lottery tickets. Welsh rarebit with egg, grilled. Took 2 rhinitis. “The Church by the Sea” poor. Hot bottle leaked again.
Friday 7th December 1945
Cold, dull.
7.30 a.m. boiled kettles. Alys to Barnard Castle for rations and got oxtail and oranges! I did laundry, but not out of sitting room. Baked cod and toast. Alys cooked oxtail and made kedgeree (supper) all p.m. I slept. Monte Cristo at 4. Scones 4.30. At 7.30 Discussion on Future of Germany. Atlantic Journey at 8 – 9.
Saturday 8th December 1945
No weather.
Alys to get car to Ravensworth to post Phil’s blue suit. Blain still feeling bad. I did apple snow and we had oxtail and sprouts. Alys to Richmond in p.m. for Baden’s medicine and posted short to Phil. She phoned Eva. Kedgeree and Welsh rarebit (with sprouts and dried egg). “Hindle Wakes”.
Memo:
8th Points period ends.
Phil to Charing Cross Hospital as House-Physician to Dr Gordon Holmes and Dr Warner – January 1st.
3rd Brown’s lent “Crowthers of Bankdam” Thomas Armstrong.
4th 500 gallons gas oil came.
Sunday 9th December 1945
Dull.
Sewing. Hot roast beef, sprouts or leeks. Brown’s brought lamp up and 3 books. Leek soup; Peat pies. 8.30 “The Man of Property” began.
Monday 10th December 1945
Perfect day.
Out in garden. Did 6 canfuls weed killer on path. Alys sat out too, on seat and read paper. Mrs Peacock in bed, sent Mr Peacock to tell us. Rested. Alys to Blain’s and met Learoyd, the engineer. Fried bacon and tomatoes, apple sauce. “To the Public Danger” play. Alys read letters from Eva and Phil and Eve.
Tuesday 11th December 1945
Mild, a little, sun in a.m.
Did fire and coals, and salad. In garden a little, about 20 minutes but not sitting. Engineer all day doing repairs. Alys gave him lunch here. She made scones. Corned beef. Brains Trust, Bryant, Gloag.
Wednesday 12th December 1945
Fine, not very cold.
Learoyd again, from Knaresborough. Baden to Captain Biggs for a part. I in garden. Hoed weeds on path. Alys gave Learoyd dinner again. Stew of beef, sprouts. Treacle tart. Did up 12 eggs for Phil. Alys phoned him re. Nixon, Hickson. She to Barnard Castle to post eggs. I slept. 2 plays. Alys made leek soup, and we had poached eggs with cheese on griller. Sir Arthur Salter on Atomic Machine.
Thursday 13th December 1945
Dullish.
Mrs Peacock came and did sitting room. We had to let Cozy stove out and clean it up. Did up Murder in Tow and Cutthroat for Phil. Hash and sprouts. Jam tart. Alys to Ravensworth with parcel for Phil. She sent handkerchiefs (Dennis’) to Ernest Miles. Scones. Red Gauntlet. Taking rhinitis, felt cold. To bed 9.35. “Elizabeth Fry”.
Friday 14th December 1945
Perfect. 10℉ of frost at night.
Felt well. Alys to Richmond and sent crate wine to Dr Dickinson by rail. I in garden with springbok. Then did potatoes and apple sauce. Plaice in oven in milk. Hunter came at 2.50. I wrote to Eve (for “girl” drawing) and Eva with cheque (Xmas). Leek soup. Sardines on toast. To bed 9.45.
Saturday 15th December 1945
Dull, mild.
Mrs Peacock in a.m. To gardens to order sprouts. Thro’ the glass. Peat pies. Apple sauce. Alys to Ravensworth in p.m. to post parcel, cards. “The Second Mrs Fraser” St John Ervine. Good.
Memo:
14th Teddy on leave from Germany, Detmold.
15th Blain’s wages.
Bevan and Byrnes (U.S.A.) to Moscow Conferences with Molotoff. Stalin back from holiday.
Sunday 16th December 1945
Dull, mild.
Alys had horrid headache and noises. She cooked dinner and I dished up and made very bad gravy. Wrote Ella. Alys better in p.m., after aspirin. Scones. Fray Bentos Scotch Broth. Boiled eggs and toast. “Man of Property” 8.30. Talk by Tizard on Lord Rutherford.
Monday 17th December 1945
Dark, mild.
Letter from Nellie Sime about cancer. Mrs Peacock in a.m. Alys much better. Stew in casserole. In garden with dogs. Wrote Nell. Did up 12 eggs and Alys to Ravensworth in car and posted to Phil. Slept. Scones, read papers and crossword. Corned beef and toast. Scotch broth first. Radio very poor, for “Mr Pitts’ Niece”. Sir John Moore and Hester Stanhope.
Tuesday 18th December 1945
Very windy. Mild.
Sent note and 2/6 stamps to Teeds. Stew and baked apples. Alys had horrid headache again. Welsh rarebit. Brains Trust, very good. Haldane, Huxley.
Wednesday 19th December 1945
Fine, sunny, mild.
Fire out in a.m. Blains caught two rats in housekeeper’s room. Got lettuces. In garden. Transplanted primroses. Tinned meat, salad, fried potatoes; chocolate mousse. Wrote Phil and Phil Sime. Matinees “Going, Going, Gone” and “The Bargain”. Pilchards. My little tooth on lower jaw broke off.
Thursday 20th December 1945
Lovely day.
Alys and I to Darlington in car. To Badcock who had to make new tooth in plate. Alys took radio to shop and paid 11/. New valve. Back 12.30. Mrs Peacock had cleaned nursery all a.m. Tinned pork and salad and chocolate. Rests. Not much for Alys. “Redgauntlet”. Kippers under grill.
Friday 21st December 1945
Foggy. Mild.
Did laundry. Alys searching for papers. Sent off form and cheque to N.R.C.C. (North Riding Coordination Council) for car license. Spam and pilchards. Apple sauce. Blains working on EYT. Alys sent wire to Phil. Rest and Monte Cristo. Fire in sitting room Cozy stove. Alys’ head horrid feelings. She made 2 cheese omelettes. Sewed pocket on fur coat.
Saturday 22nd December 1945
Damp, dull.
Alys and I to Barnard Castle for rations, and bank. Got “slips” and had them baked for dinner. Alys felt her head queerly. Mrs Wardle’s mince pie. Wrote Eva and Teddy for Xmas present (cap, and belt). Miss Peacock at 6.30. Alys asked if she’d drive to south with her. Corned beef supper.
Memo:
16th Wrote Ella. 12 eggs to Phil.
18th Wrote Teeds.
19th Wrote Phil Sime and Phil.
18th James’ holidays begin.
Reading “Frontier Passage” (Spain) Ann Bridge.
Naval Officer killed by mine. Many mines washed ashore by gales and to be “disposed of”.
Sunday 23rd December 1945
Dull, mild.
I up to breakfast 1st time since October 20th. Alys in bed all day, but down in nursery bed. I roasted pork joint, sprouts, potatoes, gravy. Baked apples. Phoned Woodsend 10.20 and Dr Woodsend came at 3.45. Tested Alys. Blood pressure not too high. Alys gave bottle burgundy. Boiled eggs and toast and cheese. “Man of Property”.
Monday 24th December 1945
Dull, raw.
I up and got breakfast. Alys in nursery bed. Mrs Peacock plucked and cleaned chicken. Baden fetched Joe Atkinson to mend coping-stone leak. Rev. H. Booth phoned about holly; but said no one could pick it. Cold pork and sprouts and potato baked together. Baked apples. Alys up and decanted port for Baden and Bill Blain. I to clear. We did up parcels, tips. Alys back to bed. Rests. Milk 4.30. Phoned Barnes. Corned beef and toast. “Smiths”.
Tuesday 25th December 1945
Lovely sunny and mild, though frost early.
Alys very depressed and head worse. Temperature 99℉ at 4. She wrote to Phil and I put a note in. Posted at about 6. I in garden in a.m. Transplanted primroses (mauve). Mrs Baden Blain brought down our 2 dinners – complete, chicken, pudding; mince pies. At 2 listened to “Wherever You May Be” and at 3 King’s Xmas Message. Then rested. Coffee to Alys 4.35. Boiled egg and corned beef; apricots. To bed 9.40.
Wednesday 26th December 1945
Lovely a.m. Dull later. Rain 9.30.
Phoned Dr Woodsend. Alys came down to nursery. Very depressed about her head and crying. Better later; aspirin. I in garden for spraying and lettuces. Nan brought the cockerel, cooked by Nora Blain at 1. I did vegetables. Hot mince pie (Wardle’s). Rest. At 3 “Quiz-Masters Quizzed!” and 4.15 “Lucy Arnold” with Louise Hampton. Baden at 4.30. His mother had died. Phoned Dr Leishman. Miss Peacock called to enquire. Soup (chicken), corned beef. Apricots.
Moscow Conference ended.
Thursday 27th December 1945
Fine.
Alys a little better, expecting Woodsend all day. He didn’t come. Posted letter to Eva and in p.m. to Phil from Alys. Mrs Peacock cleaned old rooms and kitchen. Cold chicken and salad. Hot mince pies. Sat in Alys’ room (nursery) all p.m. (in case Dr Woodsend came). Did words from “Conversation”. Soup and boiled eggs and apricots. ITMA. To bed at 9.30. Alys feeling week and wheezy. Felt queer myself.
Friday 28th December 1945
Lovely day. Mild.
Baden’s sister came from Darlington; spent night here. Alys a little better, no aspirin. In garden. Minced pork, sprouts, mashed potato, mince pie. Alys sat on garden seat about 45 minutes till 2.35. Zeus miserable, but ate dinner. Inquest on Mrs Blain at 2. Dr Edison (Coroner), Lord Bolton’s doctor, called here. Short rest on sofa. Hunter came. Phoned Eva. Heard Phil all right (Smart yesterday). Damson wine (Alys’ brew), grilled bacon and tomatoes. Zeus not well. To bed 9.40.
Saturday 29th December 1945
Fine, colder with frost at night.
Wreath arrived 9.30 (£2.0.0 from Wareing’s). Butcher came. Zeus well again. Eva phoned, with messages from Phil, about Alys. Dr Woodsend came about 11. Cold chicken and salad. Cheese and biscuits. Wrote Lois, posted Alys’ letter to Phil. Rested on sofa. Mrs Blain’s funeral at Hutton Magna. Shepherds pie of pork mince. Miss Peacock called, bringing tin of lovely cakes. “Boyd’s Shop” St John Ervine.
Memo:
Reading “The Shepherd’s Farm” Adrian Bell.
29th Write Lois.
5 weeks bread 4/6 and Rob.
27th Pickin rent
24th Rents.
29th Blain’s wages.
28th Teddy’s leave ends – he back to Germany, Detmold (cancelled – rough gales).
26th Mrs Blain died
29th Mrs Blain’s funeral.
Sunday 30th December 1945
Fine on whole. Coldish.
Alys very bad noises in head (waterfalls) but no headache. Made trifle of Wardle cake. Roast beef, sprouts, baked potatoes. Began to rest on sofa, but at 3.15 Mrs Holt-Brown called. Stayed till 4.5 or so. Posted letter to Phil from Alys before 3. Milk and ginger biscuits. Alys took no aspirin all day. Boiled eggs and toast and cakes. “The Man of Property” 8.30. Talk by Irving on Leigh-Mallory. Everest climbing, died though.
Monday 31st December 1945
Dull, foggy. Cold.
Phoned Badcock and at 10.20 Baden drove me to Darlington. Badcock extracted both root (broke off on 19th) with novocaine (local). Mrs Peacock in a.m. Cold chicken (Alys) and baked potato. Peat pie (I) and sprouts. Rest on sofa and slept in p.m. Phoned to Eva, who said Phil very braced and cheerful, gone to Charing Cross Hospital. Alys dressed and about a little feeling a little better but still very “piano”. Soup, tinned mulligatawny, corned beef, compote of prunes. To bed 9.50.
Memo:
31st Phil to Charing Cross Hospital as House Physician.
31st Posted 12 eggs and chocolate to Phil from Darlington to Charing Cross Hospital.
The Diaries of my Great-Great-Aunt Kate 